Rainfire Bourbon Review

Distillery: Firewater Distillery—Maple Valley, WA

Proof: 90.0 (45.0% ABV)

Age: Four Years

Mashbill: Undisclosed

MSRP: $73

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Crafted In-House—Priced a Step Too High

As the whiskey landscape continues to expand, newer distilleries like Rainfire Spirits step into the Bourbon Inspector spotlight with house-distilled, age-stated bourbons that lean heavily on their clarity of grain notes and accessible proof points.  Their standard four-year-old expression, bottled at 90 proof, fits comfortably in that mold.

Unlike many craft houses who use sourced releases that rely on aging contracts or bulk whiskey from Kentucky and Indiana, Rainfire’s bourbon is distilled and matured in-house.  That should not go overlooked.  It means they control everything from fermentation to barrel entry proof—a rarity.  Bottling at four years and 90 proof seems to try and strike a balance between approachability and authenticity—allowing the spirit to stand on its own without masking it behind excessive finishing.

Yet at its age, there’s the risk of revealing the edges—grain-forward notes, light mouthfeel, and a brighter, leaner profile.  For enthusiasts and drinkers who enjoy exploring a craft distillery’s foundational expression, this one provides a window into Rainfire’s “house brand.”

Rainfire Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 3.7/5

Opens with vanilla bean, light caramel, and a touch of baking spices.  A hint of apple peel and sawdust suggests the whiskey is still young, but not overly raw.  Some of the richness found in more mature expressions is missing here.

Palate – 3.6/5

Straightforward notes of honey, light oak, and buttered cornbread.  A bit of cinnamon shows up mid-Palate, giving a gentle warmth.  Mouthfeel is light, bordering on thin.  Easy to sip at 90 proof, but feels like it needs more time in the barrel to develop the body and complexity that we might expect from this price point.

Finish – 3.5/5

Clean and quick.  Notes of vanilla taffy, mild spice, and dry oak.  A touch of bitterness lingers toward the end.

Value – 3/5

This is a fully in-house distilled bourbon from a craft producer, which adds credibility in a market often crowded with sourced or contract-aged whiskey.  For those who prioritize supporting small distilleries or enjoy exploring early-stage craft profiles, there’s value here.

At $73, this competes with 4-6 year bourbons from both craft distillers and even some legacy—many of which offer higher proof, more complexity, and broader appeal.  The price point creates expectations that the Palate and Finish simply don’t meet.  It feels more like a $50–$55 bottle in both taste profile and maturity.

Rainfire Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Rainfire Bourbon is a grain-forward expression that delivers a traditional flavor profile of mild spice, toasted grain, and gentle oak, all wrapped in an easy-drinking 90-proof frame.  While it’s well-balanced for its age, the price point creates a mismatch between expectation and experience.  Still, for those interested in supporting small distillers and tasting whiskey direct from its producer, this expression offers a glimpse into Rainfire’s potential as their inventory continues to age.

Verdict – 3.45/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3