I've Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. This Affordable Bottle Is Better Than George T. Stagg

In early June, bourbon aficionado Fred Minnick posted an intriguing rave on Instagram: Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof, an exciting whiskey from a new distillery, blew him away. On a recent trip to Kentucky, my wife and I met Minnick and were impressed by his expertise. But as someone with a collection that exceeds 150 bottles and includes many nearly-impossible finds, I was surprised that I’d never heard of it. When Minnick later said that the brand was as good as, if not better than, bourbons like Booker's and George T. Stagg , I knew I needed a taste.

After a quick Google search, I realized there were no bottles available in my home state of Michigan. But I learned a little more about the brand. Smokeye Hill is based in Colorado Springs, CO, and sits at 6,000 feet above sea level. The mash, made from blue corn, isn't created in Colorado, but in the southern Indiana town of Lawrenceburg, where it is also fermented and distilled. From Lawrenceburg, it moves to Colorado Springs, where it's aged in new charred white oak barrels for over five years.

Then I stumbled on a link to online retailer Titan Beverage that sold Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Bourbon for $64. I quickly added two bottles to my cart and anxiously awaited my prize.

Five days later, the package arrived. The blue and silver labels, plastered on classic-looking bottles, highlighted the name and the whiskey’s barrel-proof strength, handwritten because it varies by batch. Both were 131.2 proof—or nearly 66 percent alcohol by volume. In other words, they're anything but shy.

Upon removing the topper, a heavy metal cap that could anchor a ship at sea, my nose whiffed high-octane racing fuel. It was a Thursday afternoon during the workweek, but I had to get a taste. I poured a little into a snifter glass and smelled the nose: hints of caramel, oak, and leather, and a little burn from the barrel proof. The first sip was sweet with hints of ripe red fruit like cherries.

Next, the second sip. It opened up more, with hints of caramel and vanilla, and eased its way over my palate. By the third sip, the bourbon really breathed, as the barrel-proof burn disappeared. I wanted to pour a true glass to enjoy—but I still had half a day of work to go, so I held myself back.

I prefer my bourbon on the rocks. I find that the ice cubes enhance the tasting notes. So, when I finally finished my work, I rushed to the freezer for a bourbon wedge ice cube, threw it in a glass, and poured Smokeye Hill over the top. After sitting for a few minutes, the ice melted to open up hints of caramel, leather, and oak.

I took my time enjoying the glass over 20 minutes, and it continued to amaze me. Hints of ripe plums and vanilla came to mind. The bourbon got smoother and sweeter, and the vanilla and caramel notes came to life with hints of sweet berries. It's so good I wanted another pour, but I reminded myself this is barrel strength, 131 proof—and I hadn't eaten dinner yet.

It was better than any George T. Stagg I’d sipped. Which, considering the price difference, is noteworthy. If you're lucky enough to find Stagg at the store, be prepared to spend $1,500 or more. At a tiny fraction of that price, Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof bourbon is a winner, and may be one of the best bourbons I've had the privilege of tasting. With its sweet flavors and richness, ease of drinking on the rocks, even at 131 proof, it's hard to go wrong.

Unfortunately, the secondary market has taken note, and the price has jumped to over $80—if you can find it. But luckily, Smokeye Hill has a second offering, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which (full disclosure) I haven't tried yet. It’s still $65, and if it’s anything like Barrel Proof, it'll be a permanent addition to my collection.

Related: We've Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. These Are the Best in the World