Stillhouse Coffee Flavored Whiskey Black Bourbon

I wish I could have been able to taste this blind, because I just can’t seem to get over the fact that it comes in a turpentine can. It definitely stands out on the liquor store shelf, and I get that Stillhouse is trying to “reinvent the idea of what bourbon should be”, but this misses the mark in my opinion. I applaud their innovation and willingness to be different, but I have to agree with G-Eazy when he says “our bourbon is unlike anything else on the planet.” I like bourbon, I love coffee, and I really wanted to love bourbon rested in coffee. But I don’t. But let’s not beat around the bush here… I don’t believe this is the type of whiskey intended for you to take your time with and casually sip neat from a Glencairn glass as you decipher the subtle complexities of the golden nectar before you… although that is exactly what I have done for you here. (You’re welcome) Based on what I gather from their marketing campaigns and the unbreakable, stainless steel take-with-you-anywhere can, the true target audience of Stillhouse Whiskies is more the late-night-spring-break-club-scene-party-goers than serious whiskey connoisseurs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… To each their own! Twist that cap off and go to town! Granted, I do think this Black Bourbon is something of an attempt by Stillhouse to be taken more seriously by whiskey drinkers compared to their standard, un-aged, corn-based flavored releases like Apple Crisp, Peach Tea, Mint Chip, Coconut, or Spiced Cherry whiskies, which are “best served ice cold, as shots, or in punch.” Take that for what you will. On a positive note, it is their first release with the word “Bourbon” on the label, so it had to have spent some amount of time in new, charred American Oak barrels, after which it was charcoal filtered and left to rest and mellow in roasted, small batch coffee beans… a first for the bourbon world. Definitely a step in the right direction. “Unbreakable. Unmistakable. Undeniably different.” is one of their catchy taglines, (they have a few) although I have to say, I really prefer the “When You Hail From A Can, There Are No Can’ts” line myself. Pure gold right there! I feel this is a brand that is really trying to have fun with what they do, and in that spirit, I really tried to have fun with this review. I didn’t love the whiskey itself, but I like the story, and I like that they are pushing the envelope and trying new things. I attempted to get myself in the proper frame of mind by hooking up the ole Bluetooth speaker, cuing up a few G-Eazy videos on YouTube and essentially having a freestyle rap battle with my cat (which I dominated by the way!) But it wasn’t quite enough to seal the deal. But you know what…. I had fun. And that’s what whiskey all about. Cheers!