Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (aka outer loop orbit) is not exactly a simple whiskey. It’s a “Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Orange Curacao-Gin Casks”. Meaning it was aged in casks that previously held orange curacao followed by gin (Copper & Kings barrel is my guess). Unique and uncommon come to mind immediately followed by “Whyyyyy?…”.
It’s awesome these folks are doing something different. I like that they’re doing something completely oddball like blending 5 1/2 yo Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with 12 yo KSBW and then finishing it in ex-Orange… Curacao… Gin… Casks. Take a second to really let it sink in before we dive into the whiskey review because this… this is an odd one.
Orange Curacao-Gin Casks Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Four Gate Whiskey Company’s Words:
“Following on the success of their first batch, released in April, company founders Bill Straub and Bob D’Antoni are proud to release their second small batch collaboration with Kelvin Cooperage, a blend of 5.5 year old and 12 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys finished in Orange Curaçao-Gin Casks presented at full barrel proof of 120.3 (60.15% ABV).”
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Kentucky
Distiller: Various
Bottler: Four Gate Whiskey Company
Mash Bill: At least 51% corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Orange Curacao-Gin Casks
Age: 5 years ( 5 1/5 yo + 12 yo)
ABV: 60.15%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2
Bottles: 2,400
Price: $200*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Polished copper
NOSE
GIN! Lime peels, juniper, botanically herbal, vanilla, Orange Tootsie Rolls, alcohol and sugar.
PALATE
GIN! Lime peels, juniper, alcohol, botanically herbal, vanilla, Orange Tootsie Rolls and sugar.
FINISH
Long -> Alcohol, Orange Tootsie Rolls, gin botanicals.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not balanced, full-body, sharp dry feel.
Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (outer loop orbit) Review: Overall and Score
I love what they’re doing, I love that it’s not boring, but that doesn’t mean I love the whiskey itself. The Aroma is straight-up gin, there’s almost nothing bourbon-like about it; Palate is like a sweeter, richer, version of every barrel-aged gin I’ve had, but still nothing bourbon-like about it; Finish picks up the one major bourbony note I got in the whole thing… peanuts.
Do I like this as a spirit and would I love to have it in a GnT? Yes… and I did… and it was awesome. Do I like it as a bourbon? No (the Four Gate Batch 1 was much better). The finish is overly done and has completely overpowered the base spirit. So on a whiskey scale the Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (Outer Loop Orbit) fails. But on a pure spirit-focus it’s enjoyable. So I’m splitting it right down the middle.
SCORE: 2.5/5
*Disclosure: This Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (outer loop orbit) sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (outer loop orbit) $200
Overall
2.5- Nose (2.5)
- Palate (2.5)
- Finish (2.5)
- BBF (2.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (outer loop orbit) Summary
Four Gate Whiskey Batch 2 (outer loop orbit) It doesn’t taste at all like bourbon, the finish has dominated. It’s a good general spirit but not a good whiskey.
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