As a whiskey enthusiast who has sampled over 300 varieties over my 10+ year journey into brown spirits, I always appreciate encountering unique, pioneering flavors that expand my palate. The expert distillers at Kentucky‘s Green River Distilling Co. have achieved something special by infusing aged bourbon with natural banana essence to create Howler Head Whiskey. This improbable tropical addition intrigued my senses, so I knew I had to get my hands on a bottle to review.
My First Impressions: Sweet, Smoky, Smooth
Cracking open fresh bottle filled my kitchen with an enticing bouquet of vanilla and maple syrup rounded out by charming banana bread aromas. The vibrancy surprised me given its fairly high 100 proof alcohol content. Swirling a neat two fingers in my Glencairn and taking that first sip flooded my mouth with big oak influence up front mellowed by creamy banana sweetness toward the back.
Hints of baking spices and charred wood filled each complex layer with flavor. I expected a syrupy liqueur-like experience, but was pleased to taste pronounced notes evocative of fine sipping bourbon. It carried some heat, but impressively smoothed over any alcohol sharpness. The finish let all the rich tastes mingle into a lingering sweet and smoky profile.
I chronicled detailed tasting notes as I slowly worked through my first glass:
Nose – Maple syrup and vanilla extract leap out along with light banana bread spices. Faint toasted oak lingers underneath with traces of brown sugar.
Palate – Heavy charred oak punch up front gives way to mellower banana, slight honey and cinnamon hints.
Finish – Long and lingering with a complementary blend of sweet and smoke. Subtle prickly alcohol warmth.
While flavored whiskeys can seem gimmicky to whiskey purists, Howler Head showed admirable balance between bourbon complexity and tropical fruit essence. I found it just as easy to drink neat as envision mixing into cocktails. It certainly merited further exploration.
Comparing to Other Iconic Whiskies
As a frequent contributor to whiskey publications like The Whiskey Wash, I‘ve assessed everything from global scotch legends to micro-distillery startups. My familiarity with benchmark spirits gave helpful context in evaluating Howler Head‘s qualities.
Maker‘s Mark shares that approachable richness, but delivers a heavier mouthfeel and more assertive vanilla flavors. Howler Head distinguishes itself with brighter fruit and maple notes.
Jack Daniel‘s also prioritizes smoothness, though it tastes thinner with a more concentrated sweetness reminiscent of cola. Jim Beam packs more heat and spice in comparison.
Among flavored whiskeys, Howler Head avoids cloying candy-like sweetness common in things like Fireball by letting aged bourbon and oak influences drive. The natural banana extract contributes genuine ripe fruit essence rather than artificial syrupiness.
In the end, no whiskey I‘ve tried quite compares to the signature flavor profile that Howler Head has crafted. Their willingness to experiment pays off beautifully.
Mixing Things Up: Delightful in Cocktails
Beyond sipping straight, I aimed to test Howler Head‘s versatility by working it into a range of cocktail recipes…
[Insert various cocktail recipes mixing Howler Head with descriptions of each]The ripe banana notes added tropical flair to refreshing classics like daiquiris while also playing nicely with liquor forward drinks including Manhattan variations. I most enjoyed it as the base spirit in Old Fashioneds, which allowed hints of baking spices and oak to shine brighter.
Several bartender friends requested samples to test behind their own bars. All agreed Howler Head introduced something exciting and different for adventurous patrons while still appealing to general whiskey fans. Its flexibility bodes well for both amateur home mixologists and seasoned bar chefs.
Responsible Tips for New Whiskey Drinkers
As someone who has guided many friends into exploring whiskey for the first time, I understand the importance of responsible drinking. While Howler Head‘s sweeter profile makes it an excellent introductory spirit, remember it still packs a 100 proof punch.
For those new to drinking whiskey and other high alcohol spirits, adopt these common sense practices:
- Hydrate regularly by drinking water between cocktails or spirit pours
- Eat enough food before and while drinking to slow alcohol absorption
- Set a drink maximum cap per hour and stick to it
- Never drive while impaired or allow yourself to be driven by someone who is
- If drinking at home alone or feeling overwhelmed, immediately call for help
Whiskey has inspired countless moments of celebration, connection and ritual across all cultures. But we must always prioritize health safety by understanding and respecting our individual alcohol limits. Howler Head can responsibly enhance an evening rather than dominate it by following simple precautions.
Flavorful Pairings: Meats, Chocolate, Cheese & More
If you know me, you understand my passion for food nearly rivals my obsession with whiskey. I took great pleasure in sampling Howler Head alongside dishes featuring complementary flavors. The congenial fruit notes integrated splendidly with sweet and savory profiles:
Sweet pairings – Grilled pineapple, banana bread, maple glazed ham, pecan pie, cheesecake, dark chocolate
Savory pairings – Smoked brisket, honey baked ham, bacon jam, aged cheddar
As you explore cooking with whiskey, remember high proof varieties like Howler Head work magic for flaming dishes by finishing desserts or glazing meat. But stick to lower proof whiskies if recipes call for larger spirit volumes to avoid overwhelming with boozy punch.
[More food pairing suggestions and recommended recipes]If hosting a private tasting, keep things simple. Howler Head needs no fancy embellishments to impress guests with its unusual complexity.
Buying Guide: Where to Get Your Own Bottle
Due to partnerships with online alcohol retailers instead of direct website sales, finding Howler Head requires a bit more effort than typical whiskey. But I have good news – it‘s absolutely attainable if you know where to look beyond big chains!
I suggest checking inventory on these web-based liquor specialists:
- Drizly
- ReserveBar
- Wine Chateau
- Caskers
- Flask Fine Wine & Spirits
For in-person purchases, Micheal‘s Wine Cellar and other upscale liquor boutiques often carry inventive craft selections like Howler Head. Total Wine ranks among the most affordable options. I personally located bottles at several BevMo! and Spec‘s locations which offer online ordering and in-store pickup.
Independent mom & pop liquor shops also tend to embrace unique, small batch products that catch local interest. And wherever banana liqueurs fly off the shelves, chances seem higher for spotting Howler Head on the same menu!
Hope you‘ve enjoyed following my journey tasting and appreciating this standout tropical whiskey. I welcome any questions in the comments from those looking to discover Howler Head for themselves. Here‘s to more bold experiments pushing whiskey‘s boundaries!
Cheers,
James Whiskey
