Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey 2022 Review

Updated: December 10, 2022

80 General Review of Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey, Batch 22F1878

I hesitated to buy Shenk's Homestead 2022 Release, Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey, because of the proof level. I struggle with most whiskeys under 100 proof. Because of this, Shenk's, being 91.2 proof, was fighting an uphill battle. It was going to take a lot for me to like this.

NOTE: This review has been updated here: Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey 2022 Review. An Elegant Second Pour.

I stood in line for an hour at a Black Friday allocated liquor event, so I had to purchase something (I was number 220 in line), right? When I got to the counter, all the allocated bourbons I wanted were gone. Conspicuously, Shenk's was sitting on the counter, so I grabbed it, knowing I could parlay this into the bourbon I wanted. However, the color looked creamy and caught my attention. It had an excellent dark amber coloring. Would I drink this after all?

A change of heart. After a few days of deciding what to do with this whiskey I had never experienced, I decided to give it a taste. So, here is my review of Shenk's Homestead 2022 Release, Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey. Bottle: 655. OF: 1924. Batch: 22F1878.

Shenk's Homestead 2022 Release, Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey

Rating: 80

Nose	80
Palate	80
Finish	84
Uniqueness	80
Value	75
Ratings breakdown based on a 100 point scale. 90-100 Exceptional 80-89 Very Good 70-79 Average 60-69 Below Average 50-60 Drain Pour

Detailed Tasting Notes

Nose Review - Rating: 80

The nose on Shenk's 2022 is very mild. I am working hard to pick up specific notes. There is what seems to be dark dried fruit, maybe prune. Working hard, I picked up almost imperceptible sweet custard notes.

As usual, I sat the glass down before tasting it because doing so tends to reveal more aroma notes. I was not disappointed. A much stronger caramel and custard nose was revealed in Shenk's 2022.

Palate Review - Rating: 80

The palate caught me off guard initially. Why? Shenk's 2022 drank hotter than its 91.2 proof. It drank closer to 100-proof whiskey, which is good for my taste buds. However, there wasn't a richness of flavor that I would expect at this price point - $106. There was no oiliness or creaminess in this first pour, something I always look for in a whiskey.

The palate and finish featured a minty, oak, and black pepper spice. I need help picking out anything else. I asked my wife to help me, but she refused. She's not a whiskey drinker. I look for a measure of sweetness in whiskey, and this is missing it. Aside from the presence of that leathery oak, there's not much complexity here, sadly.

Finish Review - Rating: 84

Interestingly, the finish of Shenk's Homestead 2022 Release is amazingly long. Wow! It was very unexpected for a whiskey at this proof level. It doesn't just linger; it opens its tent and camps out for a while. Sadly, the finish has minimal discernible flavor beyond the oak, pepper, and mint spice.

Uniqueness Review - Rating: 80

I will give Shenk's Homestead 2022 Release some uniqueness kudos because of its finish. It probably has the longest finish of any whiskey I've had at this proof level.

Value Review - Rating: 75

I expected a lot more at a $106 price point. I understand this is a precarious price point, but the lower proof and missing flavor intensity simply do not justify paying over $100.

Author: Mark Pringle

Smell IS taste. I am just a guy who has been hit with the bourbon bug and who has come to the conclusion that life is too short to drink average tasting bourbons. Go Gators!

My External Website (External Website Opens in New Window)

Comments

Please Login to Comment

No comments have been posted. Be the first.

Buy the People's Bourbon Review whiskey database. Get a head start on your whiskey app or web page.

Post an Article

Provide Feedback

Would you mind giving us feedback? What do you like or dislike about the website? How can we make it better? What features would you like to see added?