Nulu Toasted Small Batch Bourbon Review
In-Depth Review
Nulu has been on a roll lately. With seemingly endless special editions, small batch experiments and ever-increasing distribution, it’s hard to ignore the growing amount of Nulu on store shelves. Created in 2016 by Prohibition Craft Spirits, Nulu represents the core brand for the Louisville based non-distilling producer. PCS sources these expressions from Ross and Squibb distillery (formerly MGP) but applies their own take on finishing and blending to create everything from single barrels, toasted finishes, Calvados cask finishes, wine casks, brandy finishes, French oak and much more.
The bottle we are diving into today is their Small Batch Toasted Finish bourbon that was bottled exclusively for California. Known as batch CA1, this was one of the earlier releases for Nulu in California, but unfortunately sat on shelves for long enough that stores like K&L had to apply significant discounts on them to move. Originally priced around $80, this bottle eventually was discounted to $50 – making is look like a steal on paper. For this batch, PCS took aged MPG whiskey (anywhere from 4-7 years old is estimated), then finished it in toasted barrels for a few additional weeks. It was then bottled at 117.6 proof and non-chill filtered. Seems like a crazy deal in the world of bourbon today – so let’s dive in and see what all the buzz is about!
Age: Non-Age Stated (but other batches were 4-6 years)
ABV: 117.6
Cask: First aged in virgin oak then finished in a toasted barrel
MSRP: $80
Distillery Name: Prohibition Craft Spirits
Review Date: 11/2/23
Color: Dark Mahogany
Nose: After a fresh crack, this bottle starts with a nose that explodes with oak, grain, cornmeal, and a brittle metallic vanilla note that comes with lots of ethanol. But letting it rest in the glass does wonders for its character, and after about 10 minutes the nose softens to big notes of marshmallow, cherrywood, and hot cocoa. The ethanol also settles down considerably – leaving a much more inviting nose with a smore-like quality.
Palate: Similar to the nose, the first sip bursts with grain flavor with a dollop of wood that leaves a drying sensation on the palate. It then moves to warm vanillas, barrel char, and cinnamon sticks. As I continue sipping it begins to remind me of Red Hots, with a building cinnamon heat mixed with the drying wood tannins. The mouthfeel is dry with a remarkable lack of sweetness and leaves a bit to be desired.
Finish: Long spicy finish with more waves of Red Hots and cinnamon sticks before moving to powdered baking spices and more wood. The finish clings to the mouth, but not in the most desirable way. If Red Hots are your flavor profile, this might be the whiskey for you!
Final Thoughts: I wanted Nulu’s Toasted Small Batch to be better than it was. The oak came off as heavy handed and distracting, leading to a dry mouthfeel that clung to the palate in a less than desirable way. It’s a finely made whiskey, but felt unbalanced at times, and at this price point I expected more. Nothing about this whiskey made me want another pour. It was full of flavors, I just don’t think I loved all of them. I know that Nulu has many more expressions to explore so I’m excited for another chance to explore something that might fit my palate better. But if you love a woody, vibrantly cinnamon whiskey, then this might be right up your alley!
