Sundry Review No. 001: Oilcan Bourbon

OILCAN BOURBON

“If it don’t come in a can, it don’t go on the river.”

Some expedition traditions are carefully planned. Others arrive in an oil can.

Stillhouse Black Bourbon entered the Forbes-Miller cabinet by way of Mel, who selected it without knowing she was about to establish both a packing standard and a constitutional precedent. Scott laughed at the container. Then he poured it into the fishing-lure glass, lit a CAO Maduro, and discovered that the ridiculous metal can made a surprising amount of sense.

THE FIELD TEST

Selected by: Mel

Test environment: The Forbes-Miller Expeditionary Bar

Vessel: Fishing-lure glass—the Yeti was packed

Cigar pairing: CAO Maduro

Soundtrack: Chill Bossa Nova, later relieved by Spanish Guitar

THE REVIEW

Stillhouse is not the bourbon chosen for polished glassware, solemn ceremony, or an evening devoted to discussing tasting notes with unnecessary seriousness. It is a working bourbon in a container built for questionable transportation decisions.

The metal can is compact, durable, and unconcerned by the indignities of an expedition load. It will not shatter against a dry bag, it fits naturally among camp provisions, and it creates a better story than many bottles costing considerably more.

The bourbon itself is straightforward and easygoing. Paired with a short CAO Maduro, it serves its real purpose well: marking the moment when the work is finished, camp is secure, and the Expeditionary Bar is officially open.

FIELD RATINGS

Packability: Outstanding

Durability: Oilcan-grade

Camp morale: Exceptionally high

Prestige: Situational

Story value: Five stars

River-Certified: Damn right

Would we take it again? Tradition now requires it.

FINAL JUDGMENT

Stillhouse may never become the finest bourbon in the cabinet, but it may be the only one whose packaging qualifies as field equipment. Mel bought it once. Scott laughed. Then it became doctrine.