Located in Butte, MT, Headframe Spirits takes their regional past and current mission seriously. Playing on the strong history of mining in the Butte region, Headframe draws its name from ‘headframe’ devices that lowered miners down into the earth. Beginning operations in 2010 and opening the tasting room in 2012, Headframe became a Certified B Corporation in 2017. Beyond the traditional operations of distilling and selling their products, Headframe also runs a still manufacturing and consulting arm. They claim to have developed a more efficient still that brings the process into the 21st century. Whiskey Rising previously reviewed their Kelley Single Malt. Now lets look at their bourbon with the Headframe Spirits Neversweat Bourbon Review.

Neversweat Bourbon includes a mash bill of corn, rye, and wheat, but lacks a definitive percentage breakdown of the components. Like Kelley Single Malt, origins of the grains remain a mystery so national sourcing is likely. An age statement on the bottle claims ‘no less than 2 years.’ The bourbon punches in at 80 proof (40% ABV). Named for a mine in the Butte region, let’s see how Neversweat holds up under the heat.

Bottle and Appearance

Neversweat utilizes the same bottle as Kelley Single Malt, which caused a point of intrigue (to be kind) in that review. It still looks like an iced tea jug, and the juice inside still resembles iced tea despite changing from single malt to bourbon. However, it feels less insulting to the whiskey inside in this scenario. Bourbon enjoys a more ‘common man’ aura than single malt. As a result, the dichotomy between the exterior and interior isn’t nearly as vast. However, it still looks more fitting for flavored liqueur than aged bourbon. In the glass, it’s light amber with nice thickness and fast, but resilient legs.

Nose

On the nose, a slight pungent effect develops. Corn shows up first, but the type of corn found in livestock feed. An intertwined hay accompanies it. Notes of vanilla waft precariously in the background, and green grapes sit at the bottom. The grapes lend an aspect of wine to the nose, as does a murky mustiness that lays in the background. The nose waffles between nice and bland, so ends up somewhere in the middle.

Palate

Notes of corn with hints of corn, and book ended by corn. Did I mention corn? Aside from the dominate corn flavor, butterscotch figures into the middle with a wavering malt. Finally, chewing tobacco quietly crops up in the backdrop. Despite the 80 proof of this bourbon, it’s pungent in the mouth with a noticeable and detracting alcohol burn. Neither complex nor sophisticated, the palate does demonstrate corn in a nice light despite the unfortunate burn.

Finish

As the bourbon finishes off, corn surprisingly surfaces again. A distant smokiness continues the tobacco from the palate, but moves toward caramel here with faint hints of cinnamon. Despite the courtship of a nice flavor profile, the finish flames out with a burn that lands a square blow this time. Luckily, the burn is fast and the experience over pretty quickly.

Drinkability

Recommend Neversweat Bourbon over ice or with a splash of water. The water allows the sweeter aspects to more fully realize themselves. Unfortunately, it does not completely mitigate the burn which persists (albeit less intensely) despite the 40% ABV. This bourbon works best for a large bonfire setting in the woods where uncovering the various layers and nuances of a whiskey isn’t appropriate.

Food Pairing

Simple, easy, sometimes good and sometimes bland, this whiskey suits chicken tacos very well. No one questions a chicken taco meal, except in the more refined settings.

Facial Hair Rating

Neversweat Bourbon gets the stubble facial hair rating. Possibly a style or possibly the result of simply failing to shave for some reason, the stubble look rarely elicits strong reactions. On the contrary, a degree of indifference, whether intended or not, accompanies this look. Though suitable in some situations, it’s certainly not complicated or intricate.

Overall

To conclude the Headframe Spirits Neversweat Bourbon review: corn. If the bottle didn’t explicitly say the mash bill included wheat and rye, I would assume this was a 100% corn whiskey. While the bourbon accomplishes some nice things, it never escapes a ubiquitous corn and consequently lacks any depth or complexity. Additionally, a pervasive burn exists throughout which is a bit head scratching for for the ABV and length of aging. Despite this, some flavors in the nose and palate attempt to balance it out.

Final Grade: C+

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