What do you get when you take straight Tennessee Whiskey – filtered through maple charcoal and matured in charred white oak – and finish it with toasted apple wood? A perfect way to make young whiskey taste better. Or, Company Distilling’s Tennessee Three Wood ($55).

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Pour: Company Distilling Tennessee Three Wood
Proof: 86.5
Age: 42 months
Color: amber
Nose: apple cider, honey butter, Nilla wafer
Taste: smoked apple, raisin toast, woody spice
Finish: moderate length w/ cinnamon stick, oak char, pepper

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Overall: A notable step up from Company Distilling’s bourbon, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find this Tennessee Three Wood fascinating. The secondary maturation is surprisingly well done – enhancing the character of the spirit, rather than simply masking youthful attributes.

After a thorough neat tasting, I had just enough of my 4oz sample left to craft an Old Fashioned. I felt the distinctive smoky apple flavor would really shine through, and I was right. The cocktail was excellent and paired remarkably well with a mild cigar.

Rating: 3 apples.

Media sample courtesy of Company Distilling, Townsend, TN.