Average

Columbia Creek 6 Year Tennessee Whiskey

47.8% ABV
$50
Website

We would like to thank Columbia Creek and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

THIS IS THE WHISKEY FOR THOSE FLUENT IN REFINEMENT — FULL OF CHARACTER, NEVER NEEDING TO SHOUT.

Aged undisturbed deep beneath Tennessee’s capricious skies for no less than six years in new American white oak barrels– bottled at 95.6 Proof (47.8% ABV).
Our whiskey emerges bold, eloquent, and unfiltered, crafted for those who recognize excellence on their own terms. It honors both heritage and the new generation that values authenticity and knows that quality needs no fanfare.

OUR RECIPE:
80% CORN
10% RYE
10% MALTED BARLEY

THE RESULTING CHARACTER IS VIBRANT YET POISED, WITH FLAVOR THAT RESONATES LONG AFTER THE GLASS IS SET DOWN. BOLD OUT FRONT AND LINGERING LONG AFTER.

No shortcuts. No chill filtering. Just Columbia’s crystalline spring water, the distinctive temperament of southern summers and winters, and the revered Lincoln County Process—charcoal mellowed for sublime complexity giving our whiskey its unmistakable depth.

TASTING NOTES
Color: A warm gold-to-amber hue, catching the light with a gentle copper glow.
Nose: Bright floral and fruity aromatics open immediately—think orchard blossoms and ripe stone fruit—layered over a subtle but distinctive peppery undertone that adds depth and intrigue.
Palate: Rich and inviting. Caramel leads the way, followed by a lively burst of orange zest that lifts the sweetness. Mid-palate notes of dark honey add viscosity and warmth, while a whisper of coriander brings a delicate, spiced complexity.
Finish: Smooth and clean, tapering off with a mellow sweetness and a lingering hint of citrus and spice.

A MULE’S STUBBORN STANDARD.
A CREEK’S SLOW PATIENCE.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel creme candies, oak, vanilla, apple with a bit of a mineral note.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, mineral note and pepper spice.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, slightly drying with vanilla, oak and fading spice notes.
Comments: This is a bit spicier than some other Tennessee whiskies (in particular those known for a distinctive ‘mineral note’ which is familiar here). I’m not sure where this is distilled, so not making any claims on that point. Appreciate the non-chill filtration. While there was nothing off-putting for me in the glass, it also didn’t necessarily stand out in any memorable way. It doesn’t come across as young (not getting a lot of corn, but was hoping for more complexity/maturity at six years old than I was able to pick up.

Rating: Average

BLACKENED
A Blend of Straight Whiskeys Finished in Brandy Casks

45% ABV
$30
Website

What the Producer Says

This award-winning whiskey is a marriage of the finest North American straight bourbon & rye whiskeys and uniquely finished and sonically-enhanced in brandy casks, using the BLACK NOISE™ process to extract more flavor from the wood. The sweetness of the bourbon is perfectly balanced with the savory spice offered by the rye. The whiskey is further enhanced with the brandy cask finish adding notes of apricot, which plays perfectly alongside the honey and caramel notes of the blend.

TASTING NOTES
Nose: Burnt caramel, oak & honey
Palate: Honey, cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove & mint
Finish: Long and smooth, slightly creamy with hints of butterscotch taffy, maple & honey

What Gary Says

Nose: Charred oak, caramel, vanilla and honey.
Palate: Honey, cinnamon candy, orange zest, grapefruit, bit of anise and mint.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with pepper spice and caramel apples.
Comments: For starters, I’m a huge fan of Metallica and the late great Dave Pickerell. The whole blasting music are barrels I thought was probably gimmicky, although we know in very mellow climates where the liquid doesn’t interact as much with the barrel the flavors are more muted. All that to say – I wanted to like this; I really did. It isn’t ‘horrible, dump it down the drain’, but I thought it was average at best. You do get some of the nuance from the brandy casks for sure, but it just never left me wanting to raise my glass again.

Rating: Average