Oak | Cola | Walnut | Bittersweet chocolate | Burnt sugar | Clove | Very rich

Cola | Cream soda | Star fruit | Cocoa powder | Vanilla bean | Prune

Molasses | Charred oak | Baking spices | Leather

Watershed is a fan-favorite craft distillery based in Columbus, Ohio. Their limited release bourbons which the company now calls their Fall Finishing Series, include Maple Syrup Finished Bourbon, Apple Brandy Finished Bourbon, and their amazing Nocino Finished Bourbon. These limited releases have slowly ticked up in age and now feature 5-6 year age statements. Watershed has been slow to increase the age of their bourbon products, partly as they flesh out their product line, but also because of available aging stock.

Their Uncut Unfiltered Straight Bourbon is currently a limited release. Like many Watershed whiskeys, its distribution is limited to Ohio and the distillery itself. That will change, and when it does, it will be worth being familiar with their product line.

Watershed Uncut Unfiltered Straight Bourbon was aged in char 5 toasted barrels, which gives it its very dark appearance. Likewise, its entire sip features an overall richness spearheaded by a thick oak note that makes this a potent barrel proof bourbon. Watershed’s bourbon typically features a robustness, even at a lower proof, but at full proof, it’s one potent potable. All of the flavors you’d expect from a high proof bourbon are here, including, but not limited to, cola, chocolate, molasses, walnut, leather, and clove. Its oak notes are imposing, with a charred oak note dominating the entire sip. Though it may not be the most balanced pour, the intensity of the rest of the flavors does well to offset the charred oak. In my experience, Watershed’s whiskeys perform well at a high proof and Watershed Uncut Unfiltered Straight Bourbon once again confirms that.