This limited release whiskey was created as an American homage to the heavily peated whiskies of Islay. The bottle lists the components in the blend: “This year’s Winter Release boasts a blend of three different 100% malted barley mash bills and four different cask finishes of our mesquited single-malt whiskies.” From Head Distiller Mark Vierthaler, I learned that the three mashbills are 100% mesquited malt, 100% unsmoked malt, and the last, which is roughly 60% unsmoked malt and 40% mesquited malt. The four barrel finishes are bourbon, tequila, Calvados, and second-use Whiskey Del Bac Classic barrels. It’s all highly unusual, so let’s give it a try and see how the various malts and casks hold together.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Cocoa nibs, cinnamon, charred mesquite, earth
- Palate: Vanilla up front, blossoming into plumes of mesquite smoke and white pepper, tapering off into soft cinnamon and candied toffee.
- On Ice: Mesquite moves to the forefront, contrasting against new notes of vanilla and dried stone fruit. The pepper spice recedes, replaced by notes of honey and butterscotch.
