Other Whisk(e)ys

Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey

46% ABV
$55-$75
Website

What the Distillery Says

In order for a spirit to be called Scotch Whiskey it must be a product of Scotland. Although Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey is proud to pay homage to its heritage, this whiskey is much more than just another peat-smoked whiskey from across the pond and wouldn’t want to be called Scotch even if it could be.

Like its Scottish single malt cousins, Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey is made entirely from malted barley, carefully distilled, and aged and finished in various oak casks to enhance the complex flavors inherent to true single malt whiskey. But there are key differences that set this remarkable spirit apart from its Scottish relatives.

While peat-smoked malt has always been a key ingredient in many well known Scotch whiskies, Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey’s wonderfully complex flavor profile benefits from a very different type of smoked malt utilized by no other distillery in the world. The result is a smooth, mellow, mysteriously balanced hint of smoky complexity unique to Santa Fe Spirits.

Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey’s unique barrel aging process also separates it from its low-altitude relatives. Santa Fe Spirits is located 7,000 feet above sea level in the high desert and utilizes a climate-controlled barrel warehouse with temperatures ranging from freezing cold to swelteringly hot, and humidities ranging from bone dry to unbelievably damp. A strict regimen of climate changes yields a spirit with amazing complexity unrivaled by more temperate warehouses.

Santa Fe Spirits’ Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey is the deliciously unique result of an Englishman moving to the desert of the Southwest, building a distillery, and hybridizing time-honored Scottish distilling techniques with the unique flavors and climate of his new home.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Smokey, barley malt with smoked bacon, earthy, mesquite BBQ potato chips.
Palate:  Sweet with chocolate, vanilla, black currants, cherries, honey, a bit of barbecue sauce and ash.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with pepper, barbecue and an ashy note.
Comments:  Quite different from the others in this flight – the mesquite smoke is definitely unique, which is what I do like about these American single malts. My beef with a lot of ‘craft whiskey’ is when they try to put out products that are made very well at scale by others, and charge multiples for the experience (which often isn’t as good in my opinion). Unchartered waters like these is where I don’t mind paying for a unique experience. Hopefully we’ll see some with some age, and higher proof down the road.

Rating: Stands Out

FEW Single Malt Whisky

46.5% ABV
$70
Website

What the Distillery Says

ONE MALT TO RULE THEM ALL IN AND IN WHISKY BIND THEM.

HINTS OF SMOKED ALMOND AND HONEY ON THE NOSE. THE TEXTURE AND FLAVORS ARE REMINISCENT OF A PERFECTLY CRAFTED CAPPUCCINO, SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE WITH A SUBTLE SMOKE FROM CHERRY WOOD AND OAK. RESIDUAL FLAVORS OF BOURBON AND RYE ROUND OUT THIS SOFT SMOOTH DRAM.
100% MALTED BARLEY. SMOKED WITH CHERRY WOOD RATHER THAN PEAT. ONLY 500-600 BOTTLES RELEASED ANNUALLY WORLDWIDE.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Malt, exotic wood notes of sandalwood and cedar, cocoa, cherries, roasted corn and almonds.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet with cherries and chocolate, bit of spice with apple and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long with honey and cherries.
Comments:  I really like the funky wood notes on the nose – reminds me a bit of the aroma when you’re cutting different types of woods at a table saw. Not as complex as the Westward American Single Malt, but maybe more intense for what it does offer. I look to be in the minority with liking this one (saw several reviews where folks were left unimpressed or disappointed), but I like what I like. Similar struggles with the pricing on this, but if you’re a whiskey geek looking for different experiences, this does offer that (although contrary to what Arby’s might have you believe, different isn’t always good).

Rating: Stands Out

Westward American Single Malt Whiskey

45% ABV
$70
Website

What the Distillery Says

Single Malt, reimagined. Born of the unique culture, climate and abundant resources of the Northwest, this elevated American original demonstrates our craftsmanship and creativity. Our distinct, rich, and brazen American Single Malt — the pinnacle of whiskey. Created from locally malted barley, brewed with ale yeast for exceptional flavor, and matured to perfection in new, lightly charred American Oak barrels right here in Oregon, where our hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters are the ideal environment to raise a world class whiskey.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Barley malt, vanilla crème brûlée fresh from the oven, allspice, butterscotch, banana, apricot and walnuts.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, fruity with pears, peaches and bananas, cinnamon, honey, chili spice gives way to butterscotch and malted milk chocolate.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp, with honey and subtle spice notes.
Comments:  A nice dram that runs the gambit from fruity to spicy. Quite different from a ‘single malt’ Scotch for more reasons than I’ll try to list here. The more I tried this, the more I liked it (and I don’t mean in a single sitting). Initially I was less impressed, but the more time I spent with it – found it sneakily complex. Now the price point makes it tough, as there are plenty of whiskies at this price point I enjoy much more – but I’d look at it like being an early adopter of sorts. Part of the challenge is that there isn’t a huge distiller doing single malt at scale, so when you have smaller distilleries you’ll have more expensive whiskey. I haven’t bought much American single malt, but can see that changing in the future.

Rating: Stands Out

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey

50% ABV
$55-$60
Website

What the Producer Says

Uncle Nearest 1856 is a blend of premium aged whiskies between 8 and 14 years old. It has a caramel color with a beautiful deep golden hue. On the nose, baled hay and pumpkin seeds with subtle notes of ripe stone fruit and caramel corn. Bold and spicy upfront then mellows with sweet caramel and maple, like biting into an oatmeal raisin cookie. The finish is long and rich. It lingers pleasantly sweet on the palate with notes of vanilla after the spice dissipates.

APPEARANCE: Light caramel, straw/hay, beautiful deep golden hue
NOSE: Bale of hay, dried grass, stone fruit notes of ripe peach and apricot, caramel corn and sweet maple.
PALATE: Spicy caramel up front with the proof, hints of maple then mellows with dried fruit and floral notes. Sweetness and spice reminiscent of freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies.
FINISH: Long and rich finish, lingers pleasantly sweet on the palate, notes of vanilla.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet vanilla wafers, light caramel, oak, vitamins, subtle spice notes and maple candies.
Palate:  Caramel corn, vanilla, honey, bit of pepper, with a nutty minerality, nutmeg, subtle oak with a hint of clove.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with honey, oak and pepper.
Comments:  An enjoyable pour, where the Dickel house style notes are present throughout. The corn notes left the impression that this was younger than it is. Water isn’t needed, but a bit does tamp the pepper spice (which wasn’t a lot to start with) and brighten, bringing notes of fruit to the nose.

Rating: Stands Out