When Smoke Wagon first started releasing younger Private Barrels I was a little concerned for the the quality after loving the 12 year picks. On the other hand I’d heard plenty of hype around the old 7 year SAOS bourbon so I was cautiously optimistic for these picks.
Smoke Wagon Private Barrels Spec’s 8 year picks
Barrel 505
Age: 8 years
Abv: 115.6 proof
Price: $80ish
Neat
Nose: Caramel, vanilla with subtler oak and rye spice notes underneath.
Taste: Butterscotch, warm spices, faint oak. Very nice viscous mouthfeel.
Finish: Medium to short finish with caramel and rye spice.
Barrel 507
Age: 8 years
Abv: 115.8 proof
Price: $80ish
Neat
Nose: Strong vanilla extract and fainter oak, ethanol and rye spice notes underneath.
Taste: Slightly medicinal with more vanilla extract and rye spice. Decent mouthfeel
Finish: Medium finish with warm spice, vanilla and caramel.
Barrel 515
Age: 8 years
Abv: 114.5 proof
Price: $80ish
Neat
Nose: Brown sugar, vanilla and oak.
Taste: Brown sugar, dark fruit, baking spice, rye spice and a touch of oak. Great mouthfeel.
Finish: Long warm finish with baking spice and oak balanced by a bit of caramel and fruit.
Conclusion
I enjoyed all of these and was glad I got them. The 8 year Smoke Wagon picks are holding up!
TL;DR: 515 was the clear winner for me.