Vivacity Fine Spirits Old Contrarian Bourbon Whiskey

My Price: $48.00 (for the 750ml)

Distillery: Vivacity Fine Spirits

Country/Area: Oregon, USA

Proof/ABV: 80 Proof/ 40% ABV

Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 20% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley

Barrel: New American Oak

Age: No Age Statement

Nose: Candied Apple, Sweet Tarts, Honeysuckle

Taste: Oak, Corn Dust, Sugar

Review: I first tried Old Contrarian Bourbon at the 2025 Oregon Whiskey Festival in Bend, OR. I had picked up a few other spirits from Vivacity over the years and even found a Cranberry flavored rum they make that my wife absolutely loved. Upon trying Old Contrarian, I was blown away at how sweet and fruity it was. It has one of the most candied noses and palates of any whiskey I’ve had. I was very happy to learn they are distilling and aging everything themselves and was surprised to hear it was a wheated bourbon (20% wheat) as I tend to find that style funky rather than sweet. If you enjoy a sweeter whiskey and happen to come across this Oregon spirit, it may be worth checking out. Cheers!

My Rating: Stock it if you like sweeter bourbons!

Ratings Scale:

-Spit: Don’t bother with this one. If a friend gives you a dram of it, are they even your friend?

-Shoot: Good enough to get you drunk

-Sip: Tasty enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks.

-Stock: I’d recommend keeping a bottle on hand.