Review: Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Bourbon
Review: Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Bourbon
Maple syrup barrel-finished bourbon has become increasingly common over the past several years. In most instances, bourbon is transferred into used maple syrup barrels, and consumers may be told which maple producer supplied those barrels. Beyond that, there has been little movement in the category. Finding a maple-finished bourbon that offers something outside the usual playbook can be almost as difficult as finding Sasquatch itself.
Stories of Sasquatch sightings have circulated for generations. Yet in 2026, another elusive creature reportedly stepped out of the wilderness: Sapsquatch. More specifically, Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Bourbon, a maple-finished release that takes a far different route than many of its peers.
The bourbon begins with a blend of whiskeys distilled in Kentucky, and Indiana. Kentucky-sourced components originate from James B. Beam, Barton 1792, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Green River, while the Indiana portion comes from MGP. According to Shortbarrel, the blend incorporates multiple mashbills, including 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, as well as 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Looking at the distilleries involved, it is worth noting that MGP, Barton 1792, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Green River all produce the 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley mashbill. The bourbons used in the blend range from six to eight years of age.
So what makes Sapsquatch even harder to track down than Sasquatch when it comes to maple finishing?
Rather than moving the bourbon directly into maple syrup barrels, Shortbarrel begins with an additional step. The blended bourbon is vatted in stainless steel tanks and conditioned for six to eight weeks with sugar maple spirals sourced from The Barrel Mill in Avon, Minnesota. After that process, the whiskey is transferred into toasted Kelvin barrels that previously held USDA Organic maple syrup from Barred Woods Maple in Johnson, Vermont. The bourbon was dumped and blended for bottling in March 2026.
With Sapsquatch, Atlanta’s Shortbarrel Bourbon has assembled an unconventional take on maple-finished bourbon. Is this a release whiskey enthusiasts will pursue with the same determination cryptozoologists bring to the search for Sasquatch? Let’s find out.
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Straight Bourbon Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels and Toasted Barrels Review
The nose immediately brings Golden Grahams cereal and dried pine needles to mind. Given a few moments in the glass, black licorice arrives alongside toasted waffles drizzled with a modest amount of maple syrup. It is one of the most unusual aromatic profiles I’ve encountered in a maple-finished bourbon. Rather than leading with confectionery sweetness, the aroma places spice front and center. The maple component is present, though far less dominant than is typically found in the category.
On the palate, the maple influence becomes more apparent, presenting itself as maple sugar candy rather than maple syrup. That initial wave of sweetness quickly gives way to mulled apple cider and Rolos, bringing together milk chocolate and caramel. The progression is particularly intriguing. Sweetness arrives first, then rapidly transitions into baking spice and peppery notes while the bourbon retains a rich, chewy mouthcoating quality that recalls biting into a Rolo.
The finish takes another unexpected turn. A slightly smoky, savory sweetness suggests candied bacon before shifting toward chipotle powder. Late in the experience, maple reappears through notes of French toast topped with a light drizzle of maple syrup, joined by leather. As the flavors fade, spice takes control while sweetness recedes into the background.
Without question, this is the most unconventional maple-finished bourbon I’ve encountered. The maple component remains visible from start to finish, yet spice consistently commands attention. For anyone searching for a maple-finished bourbon that breaks away from the standard formula, this is one worth tracking down.
110 proof.
A- / $90
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Bourbon
USD90
