The bourbon barreled for this voyage uses wheat as its small grain instead of the typical rye. Wheat is less flavorful than rye so during the maturation process it allows more of the corn’s sweetness and the wood’s vanilla to come through prior to being loaded onto our ships. Both salty air and heat transformed this bourbon. Salt is the dominant note that pops, and is more evident than all the other rye voyages. In addition, there is a viscosity of this bourbon after the initial sip.
Up-front a salted Crème Brûlée with vanilla gives way to tobacco and oak mid palate, the wood staves provide a lingering brininess that stays with you throughout the finish. Notes found in all previous Ocean Voyages are amplified in Ocean Voyage 15 – Wheated as the salt, Carmel, and wood do not have the spice of the rye to compete with.