Other Whisk(e)ys

High West High Country American Single Malt Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

High West High Country
American Single Malt Whiskey

44.8% ABV
$80
Website
High West High Country American Single Malt Whiskey
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

High West’s High Country American Single Malt is a single malt whiskey distilled and blended by High West in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, aged for 4-8 years. Recognized for its robust, flavor-forward profile, this year’s expression features unique notes of sourdough French Toast, crème caramel and fresh-picked kumquats. This monumental release marks a momentous occasion for the distillery on the heels of the TTB’s decision last month to formally recognize American single malt as an official whiskey category in the U.S.

“We can’t wait to share this year’s High Country American Single Malt with whiskey lovers throughout the state,” said Tara Lindley, Director of Blend & Sensory at High West Distillery. “With a slightly older age perception, the blended single malt whiskeys of this rendition were aged in used and new charred white American oak barrels, with a portion finished in French oak Ruby Port, Oloroso Sherry, and PX Sherry barrels for a distinctly robust flavor profile.”

Bottles of the limited run of High Country American Single Malt are available now throughout Utah. The spirit can be purchased at High West General Store in Old Town Park City, High West Distillery on Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship, or UT state liquor stores for $79.99 per bottle.

On the Nose: Wildflower honey, golden raisins, lemon peel, chamomile, sourdough French toast, roasted Brazil nuts, mossy wooden bridge over a babbling brook
Palate: Rich layered toffee notes, ripe cantaloupe, graham cracker, crème caramel, dried hay, puffed cereal, cocoa nibs, leather
Finish: Fresh-picked kumquats, maple pecan pie
How to Drink: Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water while appreciating a magnificent western vista.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Apricot, pears, honey suckle, floral notes, nutty with a bit of oak.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet and fruity with baked pears, apricots and tangerines, vanilla with a bit of pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with pepper spice and a light caramel note.
Comments:  American Single Malt Whiskey is still a pretty new category, which is exciting and challenging at the same time. Exciting as it lends itself well to innovation and different approaches, but challenging as there isn’t a “baseline expectation”. I found this pour to be interesting, and definitely won’t be confused with bourbon or rye. This has more in common with its cousins from across the pond. The lower ABV lends to this being easy to drink and approachable, although it leaves me wondering ‘what might have been’ at a higher proof. Maybe a cask strength limited edition someday?

Rating: Stands Out

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Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Backstage Series Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Backstage Series
American Whiskey Finished in Peach Brandy Barrels

53.5% ABV
$200
Website
Three Chord Allman Brothers Backstage Series 2025 Whiskey
We would like to thank Three Chord Bourbon and CHQ Media for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

The Allman Brothers Band Legacy Edition bourbon is a bold Southern blend, just like the band that inspired it. This is a unique mix of 9-year Kentucky bourbon and 11-year whiskey from Tennessee, blended and finished in peach brandy barrels from George Washington’s historic Mount Vernon Distillery. This process results in a rich, full-bodied whiskey with deep oak, caramel, and a hint of ripe stone fruit. Smooth yet powerful at 107 proof, this bourbon plays like an Allman Brothers Band jam—layered, soulful, and built to last. Sip it neat, and let the legacy live on.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, toffee, baked apples, pears, peaches, crème brûlée with a hint of maple syrup.
Palate: Fruity with peaches, pears and apples all dusted with cinnamon and a caramel drizzle, vanilla, bit of maple candy before a sharp pepper spice bite.
Finish: Moderate in length, damp with fruit salad, caramel and pepper.
Comments: This is an interesting dram, and unique. I enjoyed nosing this one much more than sipping it; some interesting layers of complexity on the nose. I found the palate started off interesting but then a sharp pepper bite was a bit off putting. The price would be a non-starter for me. While I appreciate different and unique, unless you’re just a huge Allman Brothers fan wanting to have this for part of a collection – I didn’t care for the whiskey. In fact I set it aside to revisit it later, and liked it less the second time around. Certainly your mileage may vary, but I’d definitely want to have an opportunity to try it first.

Rating: Average

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Heaven Hill Select Stock 9 Year Malt

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Heaven Hill Select Stock 9 Year Malt
Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

59.7% ABV
$150
Website
Heaven Hill Select Stock BottleHeaven Hill Select Stock 9 Year Old Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

What the Bottle Says

Mashbill: 51% Malt, 49% Corn
Rickhouse: MM
Special Characteristics: Our Master Distiller selected this limited offering of 9 year-old Small Batch Malt Whiskey to have a unique mashbill with 51% Malt resulting in a smoky, sweet flavor with a long, lingering finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Malty, dark fruit notes of raisins and blackcurrants, smokey, hint of cedar and honeysuckle.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet and fruity with plums, berries, peaches, anise, cloves and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate to long, drying, fruity with baking spices.
Comments:  Very different whiskey. If you’re a fan of scotch – this isn’t that (but some similarities). If you’re a fan of bourbon – this isn’t that (but again, some similarities). The whiskey is really dark in the glass, and with a bit of water the nose opens up with orchard fruits like peaches and pears, and the palate thickens more and also brings out some peaches and apples. My dad and I took the opportunity to partake in the Heaven Hill offering of “You Do Bourbon” during our Bardstown trip in April 2024. For $40 a person (plus taxes & service fees, all told it was about $46 and change per) you get to hear a bit about Heaven Hill’s history and mashbills – and get to taste Elijah Craig barrel proof, Larceny barrel proof, Bernheim Wheat whiskey barrel proof, and a ‘special selection’ which varies. If you like what you tried, you have the opportunity to bottle your own bottle (1 bottle per person). It isn’t a ‘single barrel’, but rather an ‘exclusive batch’ that you can only get there. And if you buy the ‘special offering’ – you can only buy one – period! Even if you were to buy another tour ticket for the next day – they restrict that mainly to deter ‘flippers’. Anyways – my dad and I both were really impressed with this 9 year malt whiskey, and he bought a bottle and was nice enough to let me bring a sample home. I wound up buying the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof as that stood out as a really nice pour – better than I recalled many of the retail batches (although I really wanted one of these too). Crossing my fingers he won’t drink it all before I get up to visit at the holidays!

Rating: Must Try

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Woodinville Founder’s Find

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Woodinville Founder’s Find
12 Year Old Whiskey from a Bourbon Mash

53.5% ABV
$130
Website
Woodinville Whiskey Founders Find
We would like to thank Woodinville Whiskey for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Woodinville, WA – This fall, as part of its annual Harvest Release, Woodinville Whiskey will introduce its first sourced whiskey, Woodinville Founder’s Find, a discovery too exceptional not to share.

“Working on new whiskey innovation projects with Moët Hennessy, our parent company, introduced me to the world of sourced whiskey,” says Woodinville Whiskey Co-founder and CEO, Orlin Sorensen. “One bourbon I encountered really called out to me and, when Brett and I tasted it together, we knew it was something special.” At that moment, Woodinville’s new Founder’s Find collection was born.

The first bottling in this exciting line of rare and unusual whiskeys is a 12-year-old whiskey from Tennessee, blended six years into aging with a small dose (4%) of 15-year-old Indiana bourbon. Its viscous body, incredible depth, and mile-long finish comes not only from the liquid but from the uncommon way it’s been aged: in a reconditioned barrel, a process by which used barrels are scraped clean and freshly toasted and charred. Years ago, a group of renowned distillers proposed the use of these barrels and began experimenting, only to be rebuffed by lawmakers. Which is how Orlin uncovered this forgotten barrel in the back corner of a legendary rickhouse, patiently waiting for someone to notice and appreciate it.

Confident they’d happened upon something extraordinary, Orlin and Brett entered Woodinville Founder’s Find in the 2024 San Francisco Spirit Awards Competition, where it earned Double Gold medals. The esteemed judges also selected it as one of four finalists for “Best in Class” in the American Blended Whiskey category. The judges’ tasting notes were: “this whiskey boasts an aromatic nose with notes of dried fruit, spice, and a hint of caramel. The palate is smooth and well-rounded with flavors of rye spice, vanilla, and a touch of oak.”

Woodinville Founder’s Find earned Double Platinum in Fred Minnick’s 2024 ASCOT Awards, and it was propelled to the top in a blind tasting by a panel of judges. Out of 900 entries it was a finalist for “Best in Show” and, while not the ultimate winner, Fred selected it as his personal vote for #1 Best in Show Whiskey. Judges gave it these tasting notes: “Aromas of caramel, vanilla and baking spices on the nose while dark cherry and mint shine through on the palate, concluding with a truly incredible finish.”

The first 500 numbered bottles of Founder’s Find (107 proof) will be released exclusively at the distillery’s Harvest Release on October 19 at $129.99 per bottle. The Harvest Release will also feature Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish, a grain to glass offering, priced at $69.99 per bottle. Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish also earned Double Platinum in the ASCOT competition and the judges gave these tasting notes for it: “Fresh and cooked orchard fruit on the nose hangs around on the palate where it’s met with gentle oak and hints of freshly brewed coffee notes and a lingering finish.” The first 500 numbered bottles of this bourbon will also be available that day, when Brett and Orlin will be joined by Fred Minnick to taste the whiskeys and sign bottles. Both Harvest Release whiskeys will be available online at a later date.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, dried orchard fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, freshly toasted oak, walnuts, cocoa, crème brûlée and Flintstones™ Vitamins.
Palate:  Creamy, sweet with caramel, cherry, honey, nougat, milk chocolate, cinnamon, mint and a bit of pepper spice.
Finish:  Long with caramel apple, milk chocolate and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  The mineral note on the nose is a hallmark of Dickel, but don’t mistake that this is simply Dickel with a different label. It is absolutely unique. The oak on the nose reminds me of fresh wood shavings from taking wood shop as a kid. The reconditioned barrel as well as the blending of an older bourbon definitely adds to the complexity on both the nose and palate. I really enjoyed this one, and coaxing the notes out over time. Shame that this experiment didn’t get more traction (thanks Tennessee lawmakers), but glad that Woodinville is bringing this to market so we can enjoy it!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength
Single Malt Whisky

50-59.9%
$220 – $300
Website
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Cask Strength Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Vinho is fully matured in used American oak wine barrels that have been toasted and recharred in a way that brings out fruity vanilla notes from the wood into the whisky overlaid on a delicate background of complex fruitiness.
It has a complex and multi-dimensional background of pepper, spice, dates and other fruits, such as ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of bursting citrus fruits.
ABV: 50-59.9%
Colour: Deep autumn gold
Flavour: A rich fusion of vanilla and caramelized sugars with dark chocolate on top. Ripe melon and mango together with kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruits burst. Pepper is also present in the background waiting to be noticed.
Palate: The taste ends with clean and complex flavours embodying all that is best in the finest malt whiskies enjoying a long aftertaste.
Tasting: We suggest drinking Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask neat.

What Gary Says

Nose: Raisins, berries, leather, toffee, charred oak, smoked brisket with brown sugar glaze, subtle baking spices, balsamic drizzled over mango.
Palate: Rich and thick mouthfeel, fruity with cherries, strawberries and raspberries, fudge toffee, plums, dates, honey and vanilla.
Finish: Long and syrupy with dark fruit, honey and allspice.
Comments: Wow – this is just a lovely dram! Apologies that I don’t know the exact ABV of this sample, but damn – I need more of this in my life. Incredibly intense and complex – the kind of dram I could just sit and nose for hours (except it’s so damn tasty on the palate!) I don’t often get strawberries and raspberries in whisky, and really enjoyed those peeking in. A bit of water brings more citrus to the party, but despite the cask strength I enjoyed it immensely neat. I haven’t had much Kavalan before, but this is definitely going on my watch list.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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