Herbal tea | Malted barley | Grain-forward

Malted barley | Frosted Flakes cereal | Baking chocolate | Brown sugar | Caramel | Herbal undertone

Brown sugar | Baking chocolate | Toasted oak | Herbal tea | Lingering baking spices

Trackside Founder Release 2025 is the first bottle release under the Trackside Distilling Company brand. According to the press release, “Based in Oldham County, Kentucky, Trackside Distilling Company is the passion project of noted Master Distiller Jade Peterson and Industry Veteran Jeremy Dever.  At the heart of the handcrafted portfolio is Peterson’s personal collection of barrels amassed during the last 10 years.”

Peterson is known for his role as master distiller at Kentucky Artisan Distillery for over a decade. Familiar brands produced there currently include Jefferson’s Bourbon, Highspire Whiskey, and Whiskey Row Bourbon. Dever was the general manager at Kentucky Artisan Distillery from July 2013 to May 2018. He subsequently held various leadership roles in other spirits companies, currently serving as Vice President of Operations and Procurement at Avalon Spirits, the parent company of Kentucky Artisan Distillery.

The bourbon is malt-forward throughout with dabs of baking chocolate intermingled. It brings scents of herbal tea and malted barley on the nose. The palate continues the herbal undertone with prominent malt, joined by caramel and a Frosted Flakes cereal note. Baking chocolate and brown sugar emerge, spilling over to the finish, which brings toasted oak, herbal tea, and ends with lingering baking spices.

Being so malt-forward is unusual for a bourbon, as is being topped off with a chocolate note. Given the company’s background and inventory of barrels, it’s likely that each release will be a one-off blend. Founder Release 2025 is a non-traditional flavor profile and should appeal to those seeking something different.