American whiskey fanatics are doubtless accustomed to horse-themed Pinhook, however what does the time period imply? It originates from Kentucky’s tobacco commerce, the place speculators would buy younger vegetation from farmers and mark them with a pinned notice at market. By shopping for low and promoting excessive, these speculators usually secured vital earnings. Within the context of thoroughbred auctions, pinhooking refers back to the observe of buying younger horses, managing their breaking and coaching, and later promoting them as racehorses. Pinhook has made a reputation for itself by making use of this similar idea to barrels of whiskey.
In late 2024, Pinbook Collaboration Collection No. 3 Australian Single Malt was introduced. The third version on this sequence is aged in Australian purple wine barrels and was distilled by Starward in Melbourne, Australia. The 2024 installment is the results of a collaborative mixing between Pinhook’s Grasp Blender Sean Josephs and Jordan Salcito. Salcito is a famend James Beard-recognized sommelier who handed the tasting portion of the Grasp Sommelier “Blind Tasting” examination on the primary strive. Moreover, she based Drink Ramona in 2016, an award-winning line of RTD Italian spritzes. Her wine listing was named Most Unique Wine Record within the World by World of Nice Wine journal. Including to her acclaim, Salcito was named one in every of Wine Fanatic‘s “40 Below 40.”
Pinhook Collaboration Collection No. 3 is a mix of 28 barrels of Australian single malt whisky, comprising 4 types distilled by Starward. All barrels within the mix are aged completely in Australian purple wine barrels, subjected to the fluctuating local weather of Melbourne. Double-distilled on a copper pot nonetheless and mashed from 100% malted barley sourced from inside a day’s drive of the distillery, the whisky is aged from 4 to five years.
When working with whisky aged in freshly dumped wine barrels, Salcito appears to be a wonderful alternative for a collaborative blender. Does her palate for wine translate to her palate for whisky influenced by wine? Let’s uncork and discover out.
Main the best way on the nostril, juicy, ripe peaches meet the depth of roasted espresso beans. As air interacts with the liquid, the aroma introduced me again to a school spring break in London the place I found an affinity for digestive biscuits. The bouquet concludes with the sweetness of sultanas, including some richness. The palate kicks off with the sweetness of darkish honey and raisins. Halfway, vibrant honeydew melon surfaces. Because the palate progresses, the unmistakable presence of Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies is made identified. Given the cask energy nature of the whisky, the mouthfeel is silky easy. Shifting to the end, delicate cinnamon mingles with dried cherries as notes of honey seem as soon as extra because the expertise fades into Danish butter cookies.
Whereas American whiskey aficionados affiliate Pinhook with high quality bourbon and rye whiskey, the model has taken a detour in working with worldwide single malt. Scotland harbors a lot of the hype relating to malt whisky, however the class is rapidly gaining high quality and credibility all through the world. Sean Josephs and Jordan Salcito have blended a high-quality expression with one of many extra common world whiskey distilleries in Starward. Whereas Starward is aged for at the very least 3 years, Pinhook Collaboration Collection No. 3 options whisky aged for the same period of time as a few of Starward’s premium expressions. However whereas the age statements are related, Pinhook’s worth of $100 is increased than most Starward choices. The job achieved mixing right here makes it simply price it.
114.8 proof.
A- / $100 / pinhhookbourbon.com
Pinhook Collaboration Collection No. 3 2024
$100
