Ironroot Republic Icarus Corn Whiskey Review (Edition 25)
The bottle that started my love affair with Texas Whiskey. Ironroot Icarus.
Style: Straight corn whiskey finished in port and peated single malt barrels
Edition: 25
Proof: 117.2
Price: $74.99
Age: 50 months
Mashbill: 100% corn
Availability: Seasonal release. When available, bottles can be purchased online for pickup at the distillery only. Keep an eye on Ironroot Republic’s socials and newsletter for future releases.
The Story
Ironroot Republic Icarus is the bottle that made me fall in love with Texas whiskey.
When I first started my whiskey journey, I dabbled in bourbon before discovering that I really enjoyed peated Scotch. I barely knew anything about whiskey at the time, so I was watching the Whiskey Tribe on YouTube to learn more about this fascinating beverage.
At that point, I wasn’t much of a Texas whiskey fan. I’d tried a couple of things, and they were either really sharp and unpleasant to drink or weak and expensive. Neither seemed worth it to me at the time.
Then I watched this Whiskey Tribe video about Ironroot Republic, and something finally caught my attention: corn whiskey finished in port and peated single malt barrels.
That sounded like something I needed to try.
Of course, once I got my hands on a bottle, I wasn’t disappointed. The fruit, sweetness, and smoke were right up my alley, and I finally had a Texas whiskey that made me want to keep exploring.
Considering how much of my free time now revolves around Texas whiskey, that worked out pretty well. Whether it worked out quite as well for my wallet is another discussion.
I’ve purchased Icarus many times over the years, and I still think it might be my favorite Texas whiskey. This particular bottle is Edition 25, aged 50 months and bottled at 117.2 proof.
Nose
Plum, cherries, berries, dusty corn, and a touch of smoke.
It reminds me of a berry cobbler cooking in a Dutch oven over a campfire. There’s that rich fruit sweetness, a little dusty corn underneath it, and just enough smoke to complete the picture.
That cobbler comparison carries over into the taste, too.
Taste
The rich port sweetness is right up front, and the flavors follow the nose pretty closely. I get plum, berries, and a sweet breadiness that reminds me of cobbler batter.
Through the middle of the sip, vanilla icing shows up before the whiskey moves into smoke and ash on the finish. There’s also a good kick to remind you that this is 117.2 proof.
The mouthfeel is thick without being syrupy, and the oils coat my mouth really well. That helps make the finish nice and long, with a touch of dryness as the sweetness fades.
The smoke is easy to find, but there’s plenty of fruit and sweetness to enjoy along the way. That combination is a big part of why I keep coming back to Icarus.
Berry cobbler cooked over a campfire
Conclusion
If you read the story, you already know my conclusion. A bottle of Icarus will always be on my shelf if I can help it.
However, I recognize that smoky and peaty flavors aren’t everybody’s favorite. If you already know you don’t enjoy those notes, this probably won’t be your thing.
If they don’t put you off, though, and you’re curious about smoky or peated whiskey, Icarus is worth a try. The smoky character is more of an accent than its whole personality, which makes it approachable for someone who may not be used to those flavors.
For me, the plum, berries, cobbler batter, vanilla icing, and smoky finish are a combination I haven’t gotten tired of. It’s the bottle that got me interested in Texas whiskey in the first place, and all these years later, it still earns its spot on the shelf.
In fact, I think there are a few earlier bottles hiding at the back. Apparently, I’ve been taking that “always have one on the shelf” thing pretty seriously.
Disclaimer
This particular bottle was gifted to me by Robert Likarish. However, I have purchased Icarus many times over the years and aim to always have a bottle on my shelf. As always, the opinions and tasting notes expressed here are my own.
Keep Exploring Ironroot Republic
If you’re curious about some of the other bottles I’ve enjoyed from Ironroot Republic, here are two more reviews:
Ironroot Republic Saints Alley — The Herald Cigar Blend — My thoughts on the bourbon blend finished in Armagnac and sherry casks.
Cellar Reserve — Triple Cask Finish (Edition 25) — Another wine-cask-finished whiskey that convinced me to buy a second bottle.
You can also browse all my Texas whiskey reviews for more bottles to explore.
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• 65% polyester, 35% cotton pique
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