This batch of Contradiction is a blend of straight bourbons containing 27% of a 2 year old wheated bourbon made in-house at the Smooth Ambler distillery, along with 73% of a 9 year old rye based bourbon sourced from MGP in Indiana. For Contradiction, the bourbons are blended and then re-casked in their original barrels for an additional three months.

 

The 2 year bourbon consists of a mashbill of 60% corn, 20% wheat, and 20% malted barley. The 9 year bourbon contains a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, and is normally bottled and sold as Smooth Ambler Old Scout. The end result is a blended bourbon that contains a four grain blend, consisting of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley.

Buttery spice and green apple. Heavy on dill and young fruit. Black pepper note helps tone down the sweet tones. Finish is still disjointed and doesn’t quite come together - it’s like listening to different songs all at the same time. Interesting in trying to bring these elements together though.  [C+/B-]