Shortbarrel Four Grain Kentucky Straight Whiskey Review

Distillery: Blend of Wilderness Trail – Danville, Kentucky and Green River Distilling – Owensboro, Kentucky

Proof: 92.0 (46.0% ABV)

Age: Compounded age of 4-5 Years

Mashbill: 65% Corn, 20% Wheat, 3% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

MSRP: $40

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Not Loud.  Not Flashy.  Just Well Put Together.

Blended Kentucky straight bourbon.  Four-grain structure.  Compounded age statement.

This release blends wheated bourbon from Wilderness Trail Distillery (64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley) with rye-based bourbon from Green River Distilling Co. (70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley).

The final compounded mash bill lands at 65% corn, 20% wheat, 3% rye, and 12% malted barley.

At a 4–5 year compounded age, this sits squarely in the early maturity window.  The oak is present but doesn’t dominate the grain.  It drinks mature but not oak-heavy.  At 92 proof, it is well balanced and lies outside the boundary of intensity.

This is not a barrel-strength showcase.  It is a grain-driven blend that highlights composition more than age or proof.

Shortbarrel Four Grain Kentucky Straight Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.1/5

Caramel syrup.  Wheat bread.  Light toasted oak.  Orange zest.  Faint cocoa.

The four-grain construction is immediately noticeable.  Wheat softens the Nose while the 12% malted barley contributes subtle cocoa and toasted grain notes.  The rye prevents the Nose from leaning overly sweet.

Strengths:  Clean.  Grain notes are integrated rather than standout.  Well proofed to prevent ethanol distraction.
Why It’s Not Higher:  It stays in its lane.  The notes don’t widen or deepen much beyond the initial sweet grain profile.

Palate – 4.0/5

Caramel corn.  Buttered dinner roll.   Milk chocolate.  Light cinnamon.  Light oak dryness. 

The Palate follows through exactly as promised from the Nose.  The wheat gives it a smooth mid-Palate without going flat.  The rye is subtle but keeps the sweetness from drifting.  The malted barley again adds a soft chocolate note.  At 92 proof, it drinks comfortably.  Not thin.  Not bold.  Just steady.

Strengths:  Grain character is noticeable.  Smooth without feeling watered down.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The mid-Palate doesn’t expand much.  Palate delivers on what the Nose set up, but it doesn’t build into something bigger.

Finish – 3.9/5

Light oak.  Toasted grain.  Fading caramel sweetness.  Subtle dry tannin.  

The Finish is clean and moderate.  It tapers off naturally without any bitterness spike.  You get a gentle oak dryness and then it’s gone.

Strengths:  Controlled exit. No harsh edges.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Resolves quietly without any evolution.

Value – 4.1/5

At $40, this feels appropriately placed.  You’re not paying for big age statements or barrel proof intensity.  You’re paying for a thoughtful four-grain blend that drinks easily with a structure that shows up clearly.

In today’s market, that feels like a fair trade and Value.

Shortbarrel Four Grain Kentucky Straight Whiskey Review: The Verdict

This bourbon doesn’t try to overpower you.  It doesn’t chase boldness.  It focuses on balance. The wheat gives it softness.  The rye gives it shape.  The malted barley adds subtle depth.  The oak stays measured for the age.

It’s a steady, composed daily drinker.  The kind of bottle you open without much forethought or feel a need to have a backup.  It doesn’t demand much from you and isn’t a whiskey that requires you to prep your Palate.

Verdict – 4.0/5

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