Hokus Pokus recently featured Red Line bourbon and rye on a Whiskey Wednesday last week, and I tried both and bought the bourbon and have now bought a second bottle. Because I am enjoying it that much. Red Line is produced by a non-distiller producer, Silent Brigade Distillery, in Paducah, Kentucky. They are producing their own 90 proof bourbon and various moonshines, but Red Line is their premium offering. The name comes from the line that appears in barrel staves after the bourbon permeates the wood. This particular release is sourced from MGP in Indiana, aged six years, bottled at cask strength at 122.5 proof. This bottle costs $75, so its not cheap but I have found it to be awfully good.

the color is a nice amber with some notes of mahogany. On the swirl is a nice film but with some thick, long oily legs and droplets and the swirl. The nose is traditional bourbon but with the vanilla and oak really dominating. Mouth watering. On the palate is tons of vanilla, with some notes of dark fruits including cherries, and baking spices. This is a great flavor profile for my palate. Mouthfeel is full bodied but not syrupy. On the finish, the vanilla fades in favor of cherries and cloves.

I really like this bourbon. While there is plenty of MGP bourbon out there on the market produced by various people, I think the barrel or barrels picked by Silent Brigade for Red Line stand out from the crowd.