Almost more of an old Genever style than a American Whiskey
Notes: A completely different whiskey from the usual even from many microdistilleries these days. Made from 100% locally sourced Washington Wheat (rather than the many attempts at corn whiskey or bourbon) and using the “farm to bottle” green/environmental approach working with local people and resources. Using a small (450 liter) Christian Karl Copper pot still.
Dry Fly also produces Dry Fly Vodka and the outstanding Dry Fly Gin The new distillate is put into new medium char American Oak barrels and left to age for 2 years .The first distillery in Washington State since prohibition and the first whiskey made in Washington since prohibition.
Appearance: Amber gold color, very clear. Darker than a four year-old bourbon. Thin edge line on the glass when you swirl it, smooth layer of whiskey on swirling.
First Impression: Nice toasty char oak smells paired with a sweet wheat mash- somewhat toffee flavored.
Taste: Sweet, smooth start, almost fatty (in a good way) mouthfeel, biscuits yeast, bread type notes great full on grain mash notes at midpoint and a nice full with a nice drying finish of oak and pepper. Finish is long,smooth and leaves you hungering for another one.
Drinks: No known drinks specifically for this whiskey as now one has really made anything similar in the US. The Old Fashioned was very nice in a clean, spare minamalist way, the Manhattans (both dry and perfect) were also very good if a touch hot. I think it would also make for some outstanding gourmet food pairings also, especially game or seafood.
Cigars: Something mild so as not to lose the nuances. Small natural wrapper cigar.
Bottle: Distinctive, short cylindrical bright clear glass with sharp shoulders,shows the whiskey to excellent effect. Simple eye catching graphics silk screened or printed directly onto the glass of a dry fly fly fishing lure. Nice heft to the bottle and a good grade of clear glass with nice decanter base so it is solid and hard to knock over. Nicely done graphics on the paper band/label. Cork with wooden top makes for decorative but easy opening.
Each bottle is also hand sealed with a notation as to batch number and bottle number within the batch – a nice touch. Bottle is from France – where they seem to make a much better grade of glass and this makes the bottle shine and create a nice presentation.
Final Thoughts: Really quite charming in a understated way. Could be compared to some Genevers of European (non-Scotch) whiskies. Damn cheap if compared almost all microdistilled whiskey of any age. Especially something aged two years or more.
Web site: http://www.dryflydistilling.com