Distillery: Echo Spirits—Columbus, Ohio
Proof: 113 (56.5% ABV)
Age: Five Years
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley
MSRP: $60
February 2025 New Release That Hits the Sweet (and Savory) Spot
Columbus, Ohio-based Echo Spirits Distilling Co., is not your typical craft distillery. Founded by former engineers, Echo Spirits approaches whiskey-making like an engineering project—methodically, creatively, attention to detail and with an end goal in mind. Further, they do it all with complete transparency.
Rather than simply bottling sourced barrels as-is, Echo Spirits uses its Engineer Series as a whiskey blending lab. Treated as a lab, each release is an exploration in flavor profiles. Carefully selecting, blending, and sometimes re-barreling high-quality bourbon, they transform familiar spirits into something fresh and unexpected.
The Batch 25A — Trail Mix Blend
With Batch 25A – Trail Mix, the distillery sought to build on previous successes. The name “Trail Mix” is no accident. Similar to how each ingredient in Trail Mix can stand on its own as a snack, each element of this blend could stand well on its own. But blended, Echo Spirits believes they’ve created a whiskey that is greater than the sum of its parts.
This release consists of two identical Bardstown Bourbon Company mashbills (60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley), both aged over five years. One portion of the blend underwent an additional 13 months of aging in new low-char, heavy-toast New American oak barrels.
Echo Spirits believes the amplifies the whiskey’s depth and richness, creating a layered complexity reminiscent of the iconic hiking snack.
Only 357 bottles of Trail Mix are available at the Columbus, OH distillery and through Echo Spirits’ nationwide online sales distribution.
Trail Mix is one of my favorite snacks. I could not wait to get acquainted with this pour and share with you how it stacks up!
Echo Spirits Engineer Series Batch 25A – Trail Mix Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.25/5
The Nose immediately surprised me—this whiskey truly lives up to its name. Perhaps the power of suggestion is at play, but I get a distinct mix of butterscotch, milk chocolate, and honey-roasted peanuts, along with a touch of charred marshmallow in the background. There’s an earthy, woody complexity that evokes the sensation of hiking through a mature forest early in the morning while the forest is coming alive from the overnight slumber.
Palate – 4.25/5
From the first sip, this pour takes you on a journey through sweet and savory flavors—an experience that truly lives up to its name. The mouthfeel is rounded and soft, much more so than the 113 proof suggests. Cocoa nibs, a hint of caramel, and some raisins show up on the Palate. The rye influence asserts itself mid-Palate, bringing savory to the table.
Finish – 4/5
The double-oak
influence shines on the Finish, with charred wood, toasted vanilla, and a lingering nuttiness making themselves known. While the flavors linger for a moderate time, I find myself wishing the goodness stretched just a bit further—isn’t that what we all want from an expression—leaving us wanting more!
Value – 4.5/5
At $52.95 at the distillery ($59.99 for nationwide shipping), Trail Mix delivers exceptional value for a blended, double-oaked, high-proof bourbon. The limited availability and unique blending process add appeal, making it a worthy order for those who enjoy distinctive, multi-layered whiskey expressions.
Echo Spirits Engineer Series Batch 25A – Trail Mix Review: The Verdict
Echo Spirits’ Trail Mix is a testament to the art of blending—offering a wonderful balance of sweet and savory. The double-oak influence amplifies the mid-Palate and Finish with an extra layer of richness.
For enthusiasts, this is an intriguing bottle worth exploring. For newcomers, while enjoyable, I’d suggest exploring more readily available options first and leaving this limited release for those who may fully appreciate its many layers and complexity.
When you have the opportunity to try Echo Spirits Engineer Series Batch 25A – Trail Mix, please share your thoughts with the Insider Community!
Verdict – 4.25/5
Insiders, please pay attention to this don’t miss bottle!
A Legacy of Bootlegging and Resilience
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
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.