Colorado Bourbon with Aspen Notes

​​291 Colorado Bourbon Whiskey works fine as an après ski. It’s young but not harsh, and despite begin 100 proof, it’s refreshing rather than a flavor punch.
 
Instead of a big ski lodge, however, this whiskey takes me straight to a bar stool out of a Western. The bottle is the same wine bottle shape as those nondescript ones bartenders pour from when offering a shot of liquid courage to the cowboy slumped over the bar as he contemplates his next move. A little something to take the edge off. 

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​Every time I get out to Colorado, I find new whiskies popping up on the shelves that rarely make it out to the East Coast, but carry a flavor and style that speaks to life out on the ranch or on the slopes. Next to Oregon, it’s one of my favorite new spots for up and coming American whiskies.
 
What I knew: 100 proof, aged less than two years, finished with Aspen staves, distilled in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
What I discovered: At $75, it’s at a high price point for such a young whiskey. And it did taste young. I would be curious to try it after it aged a few more years and the flavors had a chance to mingle and mellow longer. The smell is earthy, woodsy, and herbal. It’s fairly light and just a little rough around the edges. It doesn’t linger for an especially long time, but does leave a little burn at the back the throat. It’s smooth, though, and did not taste overproofed. I don’t know that it’s worth shelling out the money—Colorado has some nice, solid bourbons at a much lower price. But I did want to keep drinking it while it was there.