Luke Cuenco 09.25.24
Bourbon is more than just a drink—it’s a way of life, especially in Kentucky. For Five Springs Distillery, those Kentucky roots run deep. Founded by Lisa, a Kentucky native with a long career in vodka, tequila, and whiskey, Five Springs reflects her belief that bourbon belongs in open spaces, around campfires, and among friends—not just in fancy boardrooms. After diving into their Blood Orange and Honey Sage bourbons, we’ve arrived at the last in our tasting trio: Vanilla Maple. This final offering from the young distillery continues its mission to put a fresh, adventurous spin on traditional bourbon. Let’s see how this one rounds out the lineup.
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OHUB Review: Five Springs Vanilla Maple Infused Bourbon
The Founder’s vision for Five Springs stems from a lifelong love of bourbon and a career steeped in the alcohol industry. After years of working with different spirits, Lisa returned to her Kentucky roots to create something that reflects both tradition and innovation. You’ll remember from our last review of their Blood Orange-infused bourbon that Five Springs is all about adding a fresh perspective on how to enjoy bourbon, while still honoring the time-honored tradition that is Bourbon distilling. In this case, the sweetness of maple and vanilla is the flavor target and today we’ll not only try it out just by itself (my favorite option) but we’ll also try one of the suggested cocktails that came with the bottle. The Five Springs ethos is one of blending adventure with craft, so we’ll be trying out the Maple Bourbon Smash. But first, the Bourbon itself. What’s on offer with Five Springs Vanilla Maple Infused Bourbon?
Packaging and Presentation: Elegance with a Hint of Adventure
Like the other offerings in the series, the Vanilla Maple comes in unique artistic packaging, features a nice cork stopper, and is bottled in extremely thick and durable glass. I think the presentation of your bourbon isn’t the most important thing, but it’s nice when companies put in some genuine effort into their presentation and packaging to add to the entire experience. Having a nice cork/wood stopper will always give you a satisfying “pop” when the bottle is opened and it’s a nice audible addition to the overall experience. So as far as appearances go, whether you’re new to bourbon or a seasoned drinker, the outward Five Springs presentation invites you in with a sense of both refinement and fun.
Nose: Sweet, but not Too Sweet
Opening the bottle immediately reveals the carefully balanced nature of this particular Five-Springs-infused bourbon. The nose offers a wave of sweet, rich vanilla and maple, but it’s not as overwhelming as the Blood Orange-infused bourbon. Instead, I feel like the smell of the Vanilla maple actually gives you brief hints of a bunch of sweet flavors beyond just maple and vanilla. For me, the bourbon presents some significantly strong and sweet brown sugar and even peppery notes along with the classic oaky bourbon foundation.
As you take a deeper whiff, you can sense the bourbon’s strength beneath the sweetness, with spicy undertones and a hint of charred oak emerging. This blend of natural sweetness and bourbon warmth sets the stage for what is a well-balanced and inviting drink. Unlike many flavored bourbons that can lean heavily into artificial notes, the Five Springs Vanilla Maple Infused Bourbon achieves a natural, almost nostalgic sweetness, reminiscent of maple syrup-drenched pancakes on a cool morning. Ultimately I prefer my bourbon to be just that – bourbon, but in the interest of exploring, I feel like the Five Springs approach is the best – I don’t get the feeling that any intense sugary syrups were used in the making of this bourbon.
Palate: Warms The Soul Like a Campfire
Right from the first sip—or even just a sniff—you can feel the love and care that went into this infusion. The creamy vanilla is the first thing that hits you, and it’s like being wrapped in a soft, cozy blanket by the fire on a chilly fall evening. As that vanilla note fades, the maple steps in, bringing a natural sweetness that’s never too much or fake-tasting. What really sets this bourbon apart is how well it balances those sweet flavors with the classic oaky and smoky Kentucky bourbon vibe.
This should be a natural assumption as Five Springs bourbon is aged in American oak barrels, it has that familiar oakiness and spice we expect, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of charred wood giving it some real depth if you let it sit on your tongue. At 90 proof, there’s a warmth to it, but it’s more like a gentle hug than a slap in the face like with some of my favorite straight bourbons. In a short sentence, I’d say that Five Springs Vanilla Maple is approachable but still satisfying for the seasoned bourbon drinker. It strikes a perfect balance between being bold and smooth, letting the vanilla and maple flavors stand out without taking over the whole show. It’s a bourbon that feels familiar to traditionalists but also offers something new for those wanting a bit more adventure in their glass.
Mouthfeel and Finish: Silky and Satisfying
This bourbon feels rich and velvety on the tongue, with the vanilla and maple adding a creamy smoothness that’s hard to resist. As you sip, the oak and spice start to come through, striking a great balance between sweet and savory.
The finish is long and satisfying, with just enough warmth to remind you this is bourbon with some kick. As the sweetness fades, you’re left with the deep, rich taste of oak and a touch of cinnamon and pepper. It’s the kind of bourbon you want to take your time with because every sip has something new to offer. However, if you do manage to polish off the bottle pretty quickly as I did, you’ll be comforted to know that Five Springs is pretty affordable at about $35 per bottle from most stores.
Cocktail Trial: Maple Bourbon Smash
Right out of the gate, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a bourbon purist. I love the raw experience of Five Springs Vanilla Maple Bourbon on its own, so when I decided to try the Maple Bourbon Smash, I was curious to see how the flavors would hold up in a cocktail. The original recipe doesn’t call for maple syrup, relying solely on the vanilla maple infusion in the bourbon, so I went ahead and gave it a whirl. The process was simple: muddle some lemon wedges with fresh mint, pour a generous amount of the Five Springs Vanilla Maple Bourbon over ice, give it a good shake, and strain it into a glass. Lastly, garnish with a little bit of mint, and have a seat in your favorite sipping chair.
The lemon really took over, and unfortunately, the natural maple sweetness in the bourbon was overpowered by the strong citrus of the lemon. The mint came through nicely, adding a fresh and aromatic touch, but overall, the cocktail lacked the intensity of sweetness I was hoping for. The balance wasn’t quite right. After a few more sips, it became clear to me: the recipe could really benefit from a cocktail spoon or two of actual maple syrup to bring out that warmth and sweetness that makes the bourbon so special. In the end, while the Maple Bourbon Smash wasn’t quite hitting the mark as is, I think a little tweak with the maple syrup would elevate it. It’s still a fun, refreshing drink—especially for those who enjoy citrus-forward cocktails—but a bit more sweetness would round out the flavors beautifully.
Price Point: An Affordable Luxury
For how premium it feels, you might be surprised that Five Springs Vanilla Maple Infused Bourbon is totally accessible price-wise. It’s only about $35—like I briefly mentioned earlier—and for that price, you’re getting a seriously good bottle. It’s smooth, versatile, and perfect whether you’re sipping it neat or mixing it into cocktails. Honestly, it’s a bourbon you can enjoy any day of the week, but it’s also nice enough to break out for special occasions. For the flavor, craftsmanship, and care that goes into making it, it’s a steal if you’re looking to try something new, or are looking for a solid cocktail starter to mix with.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Adventure
I’ve had a lot of fun going through each of the first three offerings that Five Springs has put out there for us to enjoy. Despite my initial withholdings about the concept of infused bourbon, I’m quite partial to the Honey Sage offering as my favorite with Blood Orange and Vanilla Maple duking it out for a second. I think it’s a safe by even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy them all that much. At $35 a bottle, Five Springs has priced their adventurous take on Bourbon in a way that makes it accessible to casual mixologists, and people who want a simple, sweet, and classic-tasting drink without the need to mix it themselves. Ultimately I think most of the Five Springs offerings shine best when tasted alone, but the options for cocktails are virtually endless, and having some of the best-starting flavors to work with is probably a great way to discover and perfect cocktails of your own.
