This is the latest expression of the Trackside Bourbons created by the Kentucky Artisan Distillers Master Distiller, Jade Peterson, and his partner, Jeremy Dever. It is a barrel proof Bourbon that uses four grains in the mash bill – corn, rye, distiller’s malt and chocolate malt. It has a barrel entry proof of 110. It is a blend of four- and five- year old Bourbon and bottled at barrel proof. I received a bottle of this Bourbon the other day and Matt and I sat down and tasted it. Here are our tasting notes.
Trackside Founder Release 2025 Barrel Proof Bourbon
Proof: 107
Age: No Age Statement
Nose:
- Mike: Caramel, bananas, chocolate and oak wood.
- Matt: Caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, apricots and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Caramel, chocolate, apples, bananas, cinnamon and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the apple comes forward. Tasted with a pecan and the chocolate comes forward and the cinnamon takes a step back.
- Matt: Caramel, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, citrus and oak wood. The dried cranberry brought out the taste of root beer and cherries. The pecan brought out chocolate and cinnamon spice.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with oak wood, cinnamon and lingering chocolate. The dried cranberry made the finish longer with apple joining the finish. The pecan made the finish very long with oak wood, cinnamon and chocolate.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood and cayenne pepper. The dried cranberry made the finish very creamy with some lingering root beer. The pecan made the finish longer with oak wood and cinnamon.
I would pair this fine Bourbon with a My Father Le Bijou 1922 cigar. I think the rich vanilla and tobacco in the smoke would pair well with the caramel and chocolate in the bourbon and bring out some chocolate in the smoke.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller