Oak | Grain | Vanilla | Light corn syrup

Vanilla | Oak | Light peach | White peppercorn | Faint rye spice | Thin mouthfeel

New oak | White peppercorn | Vanilla cream | Faint corn bread | Dab of rye spice | Light leather

Finger Lakes Distilling is located on the southeast side of Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes wine region. The brainchild of Brian McKenzie, the company was one of the earliest craft whiskey distilleries in New York, having started operations in 2007. Finger Lakes Distilling uses locally sourced grains for their products, and produces a variety of different whiskeys and liqueurs, with the McKenzie whiskey brand being what they’re best known for.

While the bottled in bond version of McKenzie Bourbon comes across as more of a creamy sip, reducing the proof by 9 points results in a more watery pour. While this can be expected, I was surprised just by how much that was the case. A straightforward and basic nose leads to a similar palate that is joined by light peach and rye spice notes. A thin, watery mouthfeel is surprising and detracts from the flavor notes present. Rounding out on a similar note, the finish adds in a faint corn bread note before trailing off on a light leather note. Given its price and the fact that the bottled in bond version of McKenzie Bourbon is a significant upgrade, the standard McKenzie Bourbon is a hard sell to consumers.