Notes: The grain is 100% malted barley -The whiskey is put in fresh charred oak barrels of various sizes 3 gallon to 14 gallons being used with whiskey from smaller barrels aged less than the larger barrels.

This is a small batch whiskey – very small batch compared to some. The whiskey is aged to profile rather than strict adherence to years and age . As the grain composition is 100% malted barley it cannot be classified as a bourbon or rye, it’s closest relative would be an Irish or Scotch Whisk(e)y or Wasmunds Whisky.

Appearance: Winter Wheat red in the bottle, deep amber/gold with red highlights in the glass. On swirling, edgeline is light and legs develop slowly.

First Impression: Sweetish barley malt start with dried dark fruits,apricots, rather aromatic, with full barley notes, leather, slight citrus and barrel char and vanilla notes.

Taste: Quite a bit, if not jarringly, different from the nose. Strong char and a rough start to it. A sweetish start with a rapid onset of and wood char notes some spiciness, with papaya and citrus, with vanilla oak notes.. Medium mouth feel, with some bite to it. Nice drying finish is quite long with slightly minty tingling to the tongue and lips.

Drinks: Works well for a whiskey or rye drinks such as a Manhattan just adjust other ingredients to take into account this whiskey is much drier than either. Also works well in Scotch-based drinks but keep in mind dryness factor.

Cigars: Good with a cigar with a lighter shade of wrapper. Ashton or Cuesta Rey would be a start.

Bottle:Clear heavy glass very much like a apothecary bottle with a real cork closure and wax seal give it a traditional look .Simple wraparound paper label with notations as to year batch and bottle number. it was a nice holdover and in style with the whisky it contained.

Other: This spirit is part of remarkable portfolio of the Domiane Select Classic and Vintage Artisanal Spirits Collection along with the following spirits we have already reviewed Averna Sambuca , Averna Limoni , Castarède Selection Armagnac, Castarède VSOP Armagnac, Deaths Door Vodka , Deaths Door Gin, G Vine Floraison , G’Vine Nouaison , Rhum J.M Blanc , Rhum J.M. Gold , Rhum J.M VSOP , Rhum J.M. Vieux , Suprema Grappa along with others we have not yet reviewed but hope to in the future, given the quality of what we have already reviewed.

We applaud Domaine Select in spearheading a conscious decision to assemble a portfolio of artisanal spirits and to provide distribution and access to such a group of spirits to the trade and consumers. If only other companies did such a thing we would all be drinking in a better world.

Final Thoughts: A interesting whiskey with somewhat unique flavor profile. A bit young and harsh but interesting. Rather a hybrid between a proper Irish Whiskey and a bourbon – qualifies for a Irish Whisky by mashbill if not geography, bourbon by wood and not mashbill. A bit similar to the young whiskeys you see in Spain and Italy where they like them a bit rough and ready.

Rather pricey for what it is – bottom line I can’t really recommend it unless you are a hard core collector of whiskey. Not something I would choose to drink on a regular basis and would put my $40 toward something else frankly.

Website: http://www.tuthilltown.com