Caramel | Apple streusel | Sweet corn | Light brown sugar | Cashew | Mild cereal grain

Oak | Cinnamon | Stewed apricot

Spicy oak | Apple cinnamon | Black pepper | Toasted oak

Long Island Spirits was founded in 2007 in Baiting Hollow, New York. The company was the first distillery to be located on Long Island since the 1800s. It’s a farm-to-bottle distillery producing a range of spirits, including vodka, liqueurs, and various types of whiskey.

Rough Rider Wilderness Hunter Single Cask Bourbon is one of Long Island Spirits' older expressions, yet the company’s grain-forward flavor profile persists - though it is less so than many of their other expressions. The extra time in the barrel is very evident, as oak is the star of the sip.

The aroma starts in a traditional manner, with caramel, apple, corn, and brown sugar being most noticeable. The palate is dominated by oak, but the bourbon’s proof helps tame it somewhat. What does pull through is a combination of cinnamon and stewed apricot that does a good job of providing contrast. The finish layers in spicy oak against apple cinnamon, black pepper, and toasted oak.  

Many Rough Rider whiskeys feature a prominent grain note. While highlighting a whiskey grain isn't a bad thing, balance is key. Rough Rider Wilderness Hunter Single Cask Bourbon does a lot to correct that, and a lot of that likely has to do with the whiskey’s age. Still slightly on the thin side, Wilderness Hunter Single Cask Bourbon features a more developed mouthfeel that helps the flavors linger longer than the company’s younger expressions. Though it does seem to come at a cost of less flavor present overall with oak being so dominant.