Hay | Vanilla | Brown sugar | Corn | Sweet cream | Gentle oak | Light in stature

Fresh grain | Vanilla | Diluted honey | Toasted oak | Faint rye spice

Vanilla | Grain | Rye spice | Touch of oak | Short

Woody Creek Distillers is located in Basalt, Colorado, which is part of the Roaring Fork Valley. A Colorado-first distillery, the company has sourced all of their grains from within the Centennial State since its start in 2012. Founded by locals Mark Kleckner and Patrick and Mary Scanlan, the brand picked up a famous partner in Academy Award nominee William H. Macy in 2018. Macy holds the title of Spokes Dude & Partner and is actively involved in the brand, particularly with the release of William H. Macy Reserve Rye in 2023.

The sip opens with a swirl of light scents that are typical in bourbon. Grain-forward, corn pops along with hay, vanilla, and touches of sweet cream and brown sugar. Midpoint, the sip brings a straightforward delivery of fresh grain, vanilla, and toasted oak, along with a light rye spice making an appearance. The finish continues the sip's gentle delivery, highlighting vanilla along with a pop of rye spice and a touch of oak before wrapping things up in short order.

The bourbon battles between sweet, pleasing notes and its youthful craft nature, which is highlighted by the presence of a grain vein that threads its way throughout. Seeing as Woody Creek has been distilling and aging for over 10 years, this may be the flavor profile they’ve settled on. However, those outside of Basalt may be expecting a more developed overall sip.