Notes: This whiskey is produced in Denver, Colorado by the same people who brought us Flying Dog Beer (one of our perennial favorites). The grain is 100% malted barley -80% of which is Colorado grown barley. Rocky Mountain water is also used and the whiskey is non chill filtered so you get the full taste .The whiskey is put in fresh charred oak barrels and stored in a temperature and humidity controlled warehouse.

This is a small batch whiskey – very small batch compared to some- batches are generally 2 – 6 barrels per batch. The whiskey is aged to profile rather than strict adherence to years and age statement of youngest barrel is listed on each bottle . 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 from the other side of the US.

Appearance: Old copper penny red in the bottle ,deep amber/gold with red highlights in the glass. On swirling, heavy edgeline and legs develop almost immediately.

First Impression: Sweetish toffee like with dried dark fruits,apricots, rather aromatic, with full barley notes, leather, slight citrus and on more warming: char, some spiciness, and vanilla oak notes.

Taste: Quite a bit, if not jarringly, different from the nose. Strong Spanish cedar like notes, mint, melon, papaya. A sweet start with a rapid onset of dry cedar and wood char notes. Medium mouth feel, with some bite to it. Nice drying finish is quite long with nice mint like tingling to the lips.

Drinks: Works well for 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: Tall clear cylindrical glass bottle showcases the whiskey to good effect. Simple graphics on wrap around (on a bias) strip type label. Wooden topped synthetic cork makes it a easy to open and tight to seal bottle. Deep tin shot glass on neck of bottle – which is somewhat disappointingly made in China and has a label inside that is a major pain to remove also.

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 unique flavor profile. Very well done but hard to classify.This is a very much love it or hate it kind of whiskey.

Website: http://www.stranahans.com//