Stogie Spirits: Hudson Four Grain Whiskey
19 May 2010
Back in February, I praised the Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon as a New York bourbon that proudly stacks up with “the best Kentucky has to offer.” Made of 100% corn, that unique spirit is a bit of a departure from the standard bourbon.
The Hudson Four Grain Whiskey is a more traditional bourbon. Along with a majority of corn (all bourbon must use over 50% corn) the bourbon also uses rye, wheat, and malted barley.
All four grains are combined then pot distilled two times before aging. Like the Baby Bourbon, the Four Grain Whiskey is aged in Tuthilltown’s signature small barrels, which come in two, three, and seven barrel sizes. The result is a spirit that ages far quicker than traditional bourbons (which are aged in much larger 53-gallon barrels) because there is more surface area per ounce of spirit.
The result is a deep copper-colored spirit. It is well-framed in a stout 375 ml. bottle that sells for around $45, a high price for half of a normal bottle.
After pouring a few fingers in a glass, I found a sweet nose with honey and a hint of orange peel. On the palate, the Four Grain reveals a smooth taste with sweet graham, plenty of creaminess, nuts, vanilla, and a bit of pepper. Unlike the Baby Bourbon, other muted flavors are present that combine for a balanced spirit with a warm, lingering finish.
Not surprisingly, the Four Grain Bourbon goes great with a fine cigar, and I found cedary medium- to full-flavored smokes pair particularly well. A few suggestions include the Tatuaje Gran Cojonu, Cuban Montecristo Petit Edmundo, Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum, and the EO Cubao.
While I slightly prefer Tuthilltown’s Baby Bourbon to its Four Grain edition, that preference doesn’t mean the Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey isn’t excellent. Bourbon drinkers who appreciate flavor, subtlety, and balance should go out and grab themselves a bottle.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I wish I could get my hands on a bottle of all their aged spirits, but sadly the VA ABC isn't very friendly to craft distilleries. I'm not sure how much I like the new trend of accelerated aging but if that's what it takes for the little shops to survive I can understand.
I've had trouble getting a hold of the Hudson sometimes despite it being made practically in our backyard (Upstate NY) but when I do I enjoy it immensely. Haven't tried the four grain yet but the Baby Bourbon is incomparable in my opinion.
Hudson whiskeys can be very hard to find outside of the NYC & LA areas. I found the Baby Bourbon the most interesting of their 3 major selections (the Rye Whiskey being the 3rd) if only for its more unique taste. I don't think any of them are worth the $40-50 for a half-bottle price though.