When I was up in Holland, Michigan, I stopped by a liquor store and asked for a local pick. The guy behind the counter started going on about this Traverse City Bourbon and giving me the hard sell. I had my doubts, so I decided to go with something else. And I always wondered if I made the right call.

Then I got an email once I started writing this blog. And someone was willing to send me a few samples of Traverse City Whisky Co spirits. I finally got to try the bourbon I passed on in Michigan.

Before we get into the review and the story of Traverse City Whiskey Co, I want to give a statement on how I received these bottles:

I received these samples directly from Traverse City Whiskey – I am not paid to leave this review. The opinions expressed are my own. You can read the Bourbon Master ethics statement here: https://thebourbonmaster.com/ethics-statement/

About Traverse City Whiskey Co

Traverse City Whiskey Co. is an independent and locally owned distilled spirits company based in Traverse City, Michigan, that’s dedicated to producing approachable premium to super – premium whiskey and bourbon . Known as “The Whiskey of the North,” the upstart company draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800s, sourcing all grains from the Midwest.

Traverse City Bourbon – Straight Bourbon Review

My Short Review of Traverse City Straight Bourbon

I have never had this before, so I was excited to taste this for the first time. In terms of tasting, this was a pretty good one. It reminded me a lot of the Castle & Key I’ve had in the past and I wasn’t mad. It was very vanilla heavy and didn’t have overwhelming oak flavors. At the finish, it had what I would call a “wedding cake” flavor.

All and all – a pretty good bottle at the $35 price point. Provides a different flavor compared to some of the other bourbon in that range.

Using a Bourbon Wheel To Taste Traverse City Bourbon

At the time I was recording these videos, I just started using a bourbon tasting wheel to help expand my palate and better understand what I was tasting. So here is my retake of the same tasting, but with a little help for the bourbon wheel!

Traverse City Whiskey Company – Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Review

The short version of my video can be found here.

If I have to summarize this tasting, it would be as follows: Pecan Pie Dreams I started by tasting the Traverse City Whiskey Co Bourbon and then went to this expression. And I am in love. It might be the fact that pecan pie is one of my favorite desserts in the world, but I would be more willing to bet that this is just good bourbon. The nose was full of that pecan pie scent. It was like a hopped up version of the straight bourbon. With the taste, I got a lot of alcohol up front, followed by some cherry, then a mix of pecan, caramel, and vanilla to finish. I’m a fan. I would go out of my way to get this one. It’s like a dessert in a glass, minus the sweetness.

Traverse City North Coast Rye

The short version of the review is here.

I’ll start with this:

I’m not the biggest fan of Ryes. I always try them, but I am never fully sold on any of them. I think the flavors of dill and bubble gum are a little much for me.

So take my video review through that lens.

And then I also had the chance to try the Barrel Proof Rye and you can see that review below.

The short version of the review.

Traverse City Cocktail Cherries

I know if I head up north towards Michigan and Wisconsin, I always see signs about cherries. I know it’s a thing and I was excited to give these a try.

When I opened my box, I had a surprise I wasn’t expecting. A jar of cocktail cherries.

Traverse City gave me this information about the cherries:

Premium Northern Michigan Balaton cherries, slow-cooked in copper pots. Perfect, naturally dark garnish for cocktails including: Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and many others. One of the only cocktail cherries harvested & jarred on American soil. All cherries are harvested in Northern Michigan. 100% natural & kosher certified. Cherry size: 20mm up to 25% larger than competing brands.

My Short Review of Traverse City Cocktail Cherries

If you aren’t into watching the short video, here is a short rundown of what I thought.

These are good, but they aren’t Luxardo cherries. They do have a very sweet and fruit forward taste and I did go through the entire jar already.

And since I had these great cherries, I decided to make my take on a Traverse City Rye Old Fashioned.

My Take On A Traverse City Rye Old Fashioned

I could sit here and tell you about my experience, but my video gives you the full recipe and my tasting notes. I’m still craving one right now, so if you have a bottle of Traverse City Rye laying around and some of those cherries.

Conclusion

I’m a little mad at myself for my choice back in Michigan. I should have trusted the random man at the liquor store and picked up a bottle of the barrel proof bourbon.

If you get a chance to grab a bottle of Traverse City Whiskey Co Bourbon or Rye, I would recommend grabbing one. I don’t think you are going to be disappointed.