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| Hello, that is one in every of our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
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September 27, 2024
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Just a few extra American whiskies
We have been fairly impressed by American malts and ryes recently, and by the truth that, typically, they handle to face out with out relying too closely on these ‘alien’ casks that different nations generally use to the purpose of extra to flavour their whiskies. In brief, sufficient with the barriques, lengthy reside the barrels!
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Louis XVI of Bourbon, King of France on the time
when the well-known Bourbon County in Kentucky
adopted his household identify in 1785. Sadly,
that didn’t deliver him a lot luck… |
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Stranahan’s ‘Blue Peak’ (43%, OB, USA, single malt, +/-2024) 
From Colorado. One of many pioneers of American malt, Stranahan’s was talked about fairly a bit round fifteen years in the past (I believe). They appear fairly quiet in Europe lately, although. We actually loved a ‘Batch 112’ ten years in the past (WF 86). This Blue Peak is aged for 4 years in new American oak, adopted by a ‘solera end’, although I’ve no clue what that really entails. Some sort of barrel homogenisation? A perpetual vat? Spanish ex-solera butts? Color: darkish gold. Nostril: younger, with fairly a gift woodiness, however not misplaced on this setting. A great deal of cinnamon and nutmeg, adopted by ginger, cocoa, barely acidic espresso (or mocha), and black tea. It’s pretty dry and austere, with none apparent beams. By which I imply, no blatant vanilla or coconut. Mouth: nonetheless fairly austere, dry, woody, with teas, then brown sugar, barely unripe fruits, and oak spices. It progressively turns into extra fruity, with apples and plums. End: not very lengthy, with no main shifts, however a return of that cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg trio in direction of the top. Feedback: younger, no frills, and excellent in my guide.
SGP:551 – 84 factors. |
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Sonoma ‘California Rye’ (46.5%, OB, USA, 2024) 
By no means been dissatisfied by these Sonoma whiskies, which I first found in a small grocery within the… Napa Valley. Their ‘Sonoma County Rye’ was glorious as nicely (WF 86). That mentioned, this bottle states ‘a mix of straight rye whiskeys’, which is a bit puzzling. Is it sourced? Color: gold. Nostril: I may have to begin watching out for these ryes. Gorgeous oranges, bitter oranges, hints of juniper, caraway, vanilla cream, and coriander… No, I’m not describing a gin. Mouth: the combination of those spices and aged triple-sec is fairly irresistible, no less than for me. A stunning freshness, all very simple. End: a little bit of honey and maple syrup are available to spherical out the sweetness. Some speculoos within the aftertaste (not very Californian, that) and extra wooden spices. Feedback: we actually ought to begin a world rye membership.
SGP:651 – 86 factors. |
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… and since we’re persistent, or no less than we attempt to be…
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Michter’s 10 yo ‘Kentucky Straight Rye’ (46.4%, OB, USA, +/-2024) 
This single barrel Rye carries the ‘Straight’ designation, which implies it has been aged for no less than two years, not that it’s 100% rye—although it’s, in fact, principally rye (no less than 51%). With out ‘Straight’, there wouldn’t be any minimal ageing requirement. Color: amber. Nostril: completely lovely, with apricots, varnish, and glue (which we like), rose petals, jasmine, mango, flambéed bananas, a gentler juniper contact, well-balanced vanilla, and honey. The stability right here is impeccable. Mouth: there’s an actual bourbon-like high quality, however with extra cooked and recent fruits. The bananas return (suppose banana tarte), alongside plums, peaches, and pears, all wrapped in honey, with that beautiful varnish be aware we’re so keen on. End: fairly lengthy and delightfully fruity. Lavender sweets, honey, pear, and a contact of juniper. Feedback: Michter’s now distils on their very own, nevertheless it’s unclear if this batch is from their very own manufacturing. However frankly, that is glorious, recent, and cheerful. Positively not a rye-bomb, although.
SGP:651 – 88 factors. |
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By no means Say Die ‘Barrel Power’ (60.5%, OB, Kentucky Straight Bourbon, barrel, cask #8) 
Billed as having ‘Kentucky provenance, English character’, although one may cheekily add ‘and French taster’. What might probably go fallacious? Intriguingly, it’s distilled in Kentucky and completed in England—although by ‘completed’, they fortunately don’t imply ‘consumed’. Made out of 75% corn, so we’re anticipating sweetness. Color: deep gold. Nostril: neat, it’s all about milk chocolate and pancake syrup. With water: a number of oily touches (peanut), mild earthiness, pistachios, and an Italian-style hazelnut liqueur be aware. Mouth (neat): extremely popular, leaning in direction of grain territory, with a mountain of jelly infants and a splash of espresso liqueur. With water: reminds one in every of North British, however with a bit extra spine. Apple juice, corn syrup, vanilla, and sweets. End: not very lengthy, actually all in regards to the sweets—English sweets, in fact. A frappuccino be aware lingers within the aftertaste—these cheeky Individuals! Feedback: a high-powered bourbon with a light-weight construction. I in all probability ought to have tasted this earlier than the ryes, my mistake. Mea culpa.
SGP:720 – 79 factors. |
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Leiper’s Fork 4 yo ‘bottled in bond’ (50%, OB, Tennessee Whiskey, new American oak #4, +/-2024) 
With a mashbill of 70% corn, we’re venturing into acquainted territory. Color: deep gold. Nostril: there’s that traditional sweet sweetness and maple syrup, however right here it’s bolstered by extra vanilla and a little bit of construction from the oak. A contact of apple juice as nicely, which is fairly nice. With water: a lot the identical. Mouth (neat): toasted brioche, adopted by a properly earthy and rooty facet. Cooked turnips with honey, or one thing alongside these strains, then a return of syrup—cane or agave maybe. With water: the wooden asserts itself extra, with ginger, turmeric, after which a dose of sugar. End: a little bit of rye now comes via, alongside a touch of soppy rum. The maple syrup makes a reappearance within the aftertaste. Feedback: it’s fulfilling, although I discover spirits so closely dominated by corn a bit missing in construction. Nonetheless, sure, it’s fairly good.
SGP:730 – 81 factors. |
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Heaven’s Door ‘Schlumberger Choice 6’ (59.4%, OB, Tennessee, Straight Bourbon whiskey, single barrel, cask #28897)
A 5-year-old bottling for Germany, and sure, co-created by none apart from Bob Dylan—between Bob Dylan and Beyoncé, nicely, I’m not torn in any respect! Color: full gold. Nostril: mint and liquorice over wooden shavings and ripe apples. As they are saying, it speaks—and it speaks nicely. With water: a slice of rye bread and nonetheless a little bit of sawdust, however that’s not a foul factor in any respect. Some beautiful forest notes, mushrooms, moss—certainly it’s actually fairly good. Mouth (neat): highly effective, well-balanced, in an identical vein to Leiper’s Fork however with extra honey and a touch of saffron. Additionally a contact of pine resin. Fairly fulfilling. With water: water works wonders, bringing out varnish (the other of what normally occurs) and honeyed baked fruits, with a little bit of grated ginger. End: fairly lengthy, with saffron making a notable return. A barely dry, matte be aware within the aftertaste, due to the younger wooden. Feedback: the reply, my pal…
SGP:651 – 83 factors. |
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Westward ‘Pinot Noir Cask’ (45%, OB, USA, single malt, +/-2023)
This little gem, ‘powered by Diageo/Distill Ventures’, was completed for 2 years in Oregon Pinot Noir casks. In case you’re going so as to add wine, may as nicely maintain it native, proper? Color: gold, much less pink than earlier batches. Nostril: the true triumph right here, in my view, is that you simply don’t truly scent the crimson wine. As a substitute, you get oranges (with out that sangria be aware), Oriental pastries, honey, orange blossom, rustic bread, pumpernickel, a touch of earthy tobacco, a fragile contact of wooden glue, and pink pepper. It’s all spot-on. Mouth: the sort of whisky I need to dislike—for those who catch my drift. However it’s truly a tad sweeter than anticipated, but fantastically balanced with a slight vinegary edge, a contact of recreation, and that ‘previous rag’ and black cherry be aware that’s so typical of a very good Pinot Noir. Probably the most baffling factor is there’s no conflict in any respect—it have to be some type of magic. End: lengthy, with pumpernickel and gingerbread. A touch of cherry liqueur (guignolet) lingers, with beautiful spices within the aftertaste. Feedback: I’m virtually ashamed of how a lot I like this. Shh, don’t inform anybody—particularly not the Burgundians.
SGP:651 – 87 factors. |
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Heritage Distilling Co. 5 yo 2018/2023 (61.15%, American Single Cask, chocolate malted barley, USA, new oak heavy char, cask #0003, 223 bottles) 
Properly, right here we’re again in Washington State. These people completely floored us again in August with their 2016 100% rye underneath the identical banner (WF 91). Only a fast be aware, ‘chocolate malt’ refers to closely roasted malt and has nothing to do with precise chocolate. Color: reddish amber. Nostril: wham, proper within the face. Tar, espresso grounds, earth, new plastic, fig and tomato leaves, and an previous tea field… What on earth is that this? With water: fairly amusing, all of it settles down a bit, however then we get some beautiful notes of spinach, sorrel, wild garlic, thyme, marjoram… and sure, some chocolate. Mouth (neat): extremely inconceivable. A great deal of myrtle, smoke, barely acidic tar, a bit of untamed moutai, fish inventory, plastic… It’s so bonkers that you simply begin to marvel if there’s some nuclear waste in right here as nicely (are you alright, S.?). With water: nonetheless completely mad. Vin Jaune, mustard, glue, plastics, seawater… End: very lengthy, salty, and acidic, with a powerful sorrel, olive, and black garlic character. Feedback: to start with, is that this even authorized? And secondly, is it ethical? By no means tasted something like this. PS: I find it irresistible.
SGP:283 – 90 factors. |
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Proper, let’s no less than attempt to discover some type of redemption, we won’t keep like this…
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2BAR Spirits 4 yo 2019/2023 (58.94%, American Single Cask, Straight Bourbon whiskey, ex-red wine end, USA, cask #0005, 286 bottles)
We’re nonetheless on the West Coast, this time in Seattle. The point out of a crimson wine end is at all times a bit daunting, however there are the odd nice surprises – as we have seen with Westward. By the way in which, 2BAR Spirits declare their purpose is easy: ‘make a rattling tremendous whiskey’. Truthful sufficient. Color: reddish amber. Nostril: they’re beginning to get a bit boring with their improbable juices. Strawberry tarte, chestnut honey, recent malt, orange jam, maple syrup. No crimson berries, save for a contact of cooked strawberry. With water: a literal explosion of morello cherry. Unlikely, however gorgeous, particularly since we’re fairly keen on cherries. Mouth (neat): you possibly can really feel the wine, however you can too really feel the bourbon’s ‘malty’ character, or so it appears. Black tea, spices, cracked pepper, cherry jam. With water: brioche, walnuts, cherries, pepper, and Blanc de Noirs Champagne. They’re infuriatingly good, actually. Certainly, they have to be utilizing some type of AI, particularly since they’re up within the Pacific Northwest. End: lengthy, textured, elegant, virtually creamy. Cherry marmalade with honey and pepper. Solely the aftertaste is a tad chocolatey and drying, with a reasonably robust tannic be aware. Feedback: the proper counterpart to the Heritage Distilling Co., it’s like watching Magnificence and the Beast another time. In any case, this complete collection by ‘American Single Cask’ is of an extremely excessive customary and, most significantly, splendidly entertaining for a taster who may sometimes really feel a tad jaded. However I think about, alas, that they don’t have hundreds of thousands of barrels.
SGP:561 – 90 factors. |
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