By Joe Ferronato
Forgive me, as my recollection of many past experiences with Chicken Cock bourbons is less than clear. The old bourbon brand creates many exceptional offerings, and we here at Field Ethos partake, and share, in many of them. We’re old-school adventurers that are unapologetic about our lifestyle, and our brown-water consumption reflects that.
My first foray into a bottle was just that, straight from the bottle when handed to me at our penthouse SHOT Show party. Irresponsible? Maybe. Kickstart to a good time? Definitely. As the whiskey flowed, so did the lies. It amazes me how a whiskey-induced haze leads to embellishing. But some guys did back up their claims with photographic evidence—I think. So I guess not everyone is a liar.
More whiskey, and Schoby’s idea of a good time turned the living room into a wrestling mat. What better way to call out some of your friends than a wrestling tournament at three in the morning? Everyone but myself had past wrestling experience. And since many of our friends are CEOs, smart money suggested taking second place was the better part of valour.
I say all this to preface the fact that Chicken Cock makes a damn fine product, and they are a brand that, much like us, is old-school and unapologetic about their product and lifestyle. It’s that reason why we chose to partner with them to bottle a Field Ethos small batch.
Chicken Cock has created quality bourbons since its inception in 1856. This small batch is no exception. Our bottles come from only three barrels that were hand-selected for quality, and the flavor profile of the whiskey proves that. It’s smooth and easy to drink—maybe too easy for some of you who neglect to recognize you have a problem.
I’ve shared this bourbon with many friends while sitting in front of mounts telling adventure stories—and a couple of us even set dates for our next safari after responsibly drinking…half the bottle. Regardless, all of those I shared it with have agreed it is smooth, and the flavor profile is delightful. This bourbon takes on the sweet notes from oak barrels it was aged in, but it’s not too sweet. If you prefer to have your whiskey made into a fancy cocktail, I’m sure an old fashioned would be great—but I prefer it straight, as do those who have shared it with me.
This batch is incredibly small, but as I write this, there are still a few bottles left. Give it a try, and I know you’ll appreciate it as much as I do. I must warn you, though, this whiskey is the embodiment of our adventurous spirit. Your wife may get mad at you when you take a sip of this stuff and instantly book your next hunting trip. That’s alright, she’ll get over it. If you miss out on this run of bourbon, I’d be willing to bet there will be another here soon—and I’m usually not a betting man.
Cost: $70
Pros: Excellent flavor; smooth; one of the original bourbon brands; unapologetic; well-priced.
Cons: Due to being imbued with our adventurous spirit, you’ll likely burn your kids’ college funds on exciting hunting trips and our Rigby Rogue rifle. Consume at your own risk.
