American Single Malt

Barrell Craft Spirits debuts first 100-proof bourbon

November 4, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Barrell Craft Spirits may have only opened its doors in 2013, but it’s already one of the most popular whiskey producers in the country. Located in Louisville, in the heart of bourbon country, the brand is well-known for its innovative blending techniques, hand-selected barrels, and unique finishing processes.

When it comes to spirits specifically, it’s known for its myriad numbered batches of bourbon, American whiskey, rye, and rum, as well as ongoing releases like Dovetail, Armida, Seagrass, and others. But where it shines is with its cask strength bourbon releases.

For those unaware, cask strength means that after the maturation process, the distillers didn’t add any water to proof the whiskey down. Instead of 80 or even 90-proof, the whiskeys will be more like 110-120-proof.

While the terms “sourcing” and “blending” seem like naughty words to some whiskey drinkers, they don’t bother the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits. Unlike some whiskey producers, Barrell Craft makes its name with blends. The Barrell bourbon brand is highly regarded for its blending prowess, melding sourced whiskeys from various distillery partners throughout the U.S. (and the world in some cases). That’s why it’s so exciting when the brand announces a new expression. Especially one that takes it a little off course: Its first non-cask strength bourbon. One created to be enjoyed on “all occasions.”

Its newest expression is called Barrel Foundation Bourbon, and its whiskeys come from all over the country. But this whiskey is more than a unique and interesting name. It’s a blend of eight-year-old Kentucky bourbon, five, six, and nine-year-old Indiana bourbons, eight-year-old Tennessee bourbon, as well as five and six-year-old Maryland bourbons. It carries a mash bill of 73% corn, 23% rye, and only 4% malted barley, making it a high-rye spicier bourbon yet remaining at a low ABV (as compared to its other offerings).

“Barrell Foundation is a delicious and easy-drinking bourbon whiskey with all the flavor of a cask strength bourbon whiskey at 100-proof,” Barrell Craft Spirits founder Joe Beatrice said in a press release. “We believe that a true art form in bourbon-making is the ability to produce bourbon whiskey that can be enjoyed by everyone, and we welcomed the challenge to show that we can produce great bourbon whiskey at a more approachable strength and price for all occasions.”

He added, “For 10 years, we’ve led the blending movement in the U.S. and now welcome this exciting opportunity to be a trailblazer of an entirely different style of bourbon whiskey.”

If you want to get your hands on a bottle of this mellow, easy-drinking bourbon, you can purchase one online on the Barrel Craft Spirits website or at select retailers in Arizona, California, DC, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Washington State. It was released in October for a suggested retail price of $59.99 for a 750ml bottle. If you don’t live in one of those states, it will roll out nationally in January of 2024.

For more information please visit https://www.barrellbourbon.com/

Frey Ranch Distillery Releases Their First American Single Malt Whiskey

November 4, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Frey Ranch Distillery just announced the release of their first American single malt whiskey, which was not just grown, harvested and distilled on their farm, but it was also smoked in-house using their own peat.

“Someone once told me that I’d never be able to make a smoked whiskey, and I said ‘Challenge accepted,’” says Colby Frey, who founded this Fallon, NV farm-to-glass, estate distillery with his wife Ashley on the Frey family 1,500 acre farm. “When someone throws down a gauntlet like that, my immediate response is I need to prove them wrong.”

Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked whiskey, which is sold online at here for $59.99 in 375 ml. bottles, is 110 proof and aged for six years and seven months. The whiskey is made using 100 percent of slow-grown barley on the farm.

Frey built his own smoker by reconstituting a smoker from an old grain silo and a fireplace. He also made his own peat from decomposed plant matter from the farm by pressing it into bread pans and dehydrating it to properly smoke the whiskey. “Like everything we do at the ranch, the team and I had some fun putting together our custom smoker, taking a few days to weld, cut, and wire it to our precise specifications,” Frey says. The smoker was built in 2016. “We built it around seven years ago, when we were contemplating different ways to showcase our grains through whiskey production,” Frey says. “As with all Frey Ranch whiskeys, we pride ourselves on overseeing all aspects of the production process – meaning nothing leaves our Nevada farm until its ready to be sold.”

“We didn’t want toy release our smoked single malt too soon, as we were really focused at the time on successfully introducing our signature whiskey, Frey Ranch Four Grain Bourbon, which put Frey Ranch and Nevada on the map as a serious whiskey producer,” Frey says.

But now, with its release, the timing couldn’t be better. “We’re happy to see our patience pay off, as American single malts are truly having a moment right now in the whiskey zeitgeist,” Frey says.

Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked is not only their first American Single Malt release, but it is the first in Frey Ranch’s “smoked series,” which will be followed with the release of Frey Ranch Rye & Smoked Oat Whiskey.

For more information please visit https://freyranch.com/

Jack Daniel’s releases rare new single malt.

September 25, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

After making whiskey for more than 150 years, Jack Daniel’s has distilled something new: an American single malt whiskey.

When a spirits lover hears the phrase “single malt,” they may think of single malt Scotch whiskys — often known for their grassy flavor because the malted barley may be dried with smoke from local peat moss. There are few American single malts currently being made but those that are mostly come from craft distillers.

The new Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey ($99.99, 90 proof, available in select-duty free retail locations worldwide) is different from its Scottish relatives — there’s no peat involved. It’s made with the same yeast used in its Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey. But, unlike whiskey, which is made with corn and rye, as well as malted barley, the only grain to be used in the single malt is malted barley.

For the single malt, Jack Daniel’s used a different kind of barley than used in its other whiskeys — but it’s still ground, fermented and distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee — and the grain results in a nuttier or biscuit-like flavor, said its master distiller Chris Fletcher.

After aging in new, charred American oak barrels for about five years and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, the whiskey has aromas of honey, malted chocolate and dark fruits. Flavors exuded include bread and dry cherry and “an interesting texture and viscosity that you get from the barley,” he said during an online tasting of the new whiskey this week.

“When we began experimenting with a 100% malt grain bill back in 2012, we knew it would be critical to put our own stamp on timeless Single Malt traditions and craft something that was uniquely Jack Daniel’s,” Fletcher said in a press release. “There was a lot of excitement surrounding our limited edition American Single Malt Special Release last year, and we are thrilled to now offer Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt to our friends around the world.”

For more information please visit https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us

Glen Scotia Releases A Rare, 48 Year Old Single Malt

September 17, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

A rare, 48 Year Old single malt is hitting the market from Scotland’s Glen Scotia Distillery.

The limited-edition expression, which clocks in at 40.8% ABV and has a suggested price of £11,000, will offer its buyers a look into a past era of the historic Campbeltown distillery.

Officials at Glen Scotia explained that this whisky was drawn from their oldest reserves, and in all, the have only 250 individually-numbered bottles available worldwide.

The whisky spent 43 years in a combination of refill and first-fill bourbon barrels, then the whisky was finished in another cask, a first-fill Oloroso hogshead, for another five years. It spend an additional six months in one more cask, this a second-fill ex-Pedro Ximenez hogshead.

The whisky maker’s notes show that this rare expression features a floral and orange citrus profile.

Glen Scotia’s master blender, Michael Henry, discussed the distillery’s historical trade ties in Europe when Campbeltown was known as the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World.” Its harbor linked it to Spain’s Sherry producing region … a source of mature casks for Glen Scotia and other vaunted whisky brands.

Henry and the Glen Scotia team poured through historical records of Campbeltown’s trade links to form a view of what fortified wines and spirits would have been obtainable over the distillery’s history.

This led to the selection of this Sherry finishing which brought out the aromas of sweet Seville orange, green herbal notes, and the spice of nutmeg and cinnamon alongside the Campbeltown briny, sea spray.

On the palate, Henry explained, is demerara sugar and treacle with hints of orange marmalade, red apple, raisin, and sultana, with a long finish of melted brown sugar enriched with stone fruit, apricot and peach.

The 48 Year Old Whisky comes in a handmade oak display case inspired by the Spanish ‘Azulejo’ tile designs found in the bodegas of Seville.

And Glen Scotia partnered with Glencairn to make a bottle that’s etched and infilled, with gold metal decoration to the body and shoulder. The presentation case comes accompanied by a plaque, with the individual bottle number, tasting notes, and story of this single malt whisky.

“The 48-Year-Old is an exceptional release with a remarkable heritage,” said Iain McAlister, master distiller and distillery manager at Glen Scotia. “It is so intriguing to me to think that different generations of distillery managers and their teams, who would have been testing their casks over time, opted to hold this particular liquid back time and time again, allowing it to continue its journey.”

“What we have inherited today is therefore a real journey through time and a celebration of Glen Scotia’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, which continues to thrive,” he added.

The 48 Year Old is available from the Glen Scotia website and at select specialist retailers in the UK, Europe, China, USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and South Africa markets.

For more information, check out www.glenscotia.com.

Actor Matthew Lillard Is Launching Quest’s End: Paladin

September 1, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Actor Matthew Lillard is best known for his roles in films like Scream and Scooby-Doo, but he also happens to be a fantasy-world-obsessed businessman who founded the table top gaming company Beadle & Grimm’s. And now he’s bringing that cosplay sensibility to the whiskey world with Find Familiar Spirits, a booze brand launching this fall with a series of whiskeys matched to specific fantasy characters.

Lillard had some help with this new venture—he was joined by his friend, actor and screenwriter Justin Ware, and Tim Sparapani, cofounder of breakout whiskey brand Blue Run Spirits (which was just recently acquired by Molson Coors). Kate Welch, a certified Dungeon Master and game designer on D&D 5th Edition, is helping out by writing a fantasy series that will be released in chapters along with each new whiskey expression, and D&D artist Tyler Jacobson will design the bottle labels. “I grew up a nerdy kid so I’ve always had a special appreciation for fandoms in general,” said Lillard in a statement. “They’re places where you feel like you belong, worlds that appreciate you and love you for who you are… I’ve learned that true fandom isn’t only about what you love, it’s about the community you build—and no community is more avid and devoted than the fantasy gamer.”

The first Find Familiar Spirits release is a bourbon called Quest’s End: Paladin, which will be released this October. The whiskey was sourced from Kentucky and Indiana (the latter most likely from MGP), and blended by a team led by Ale Ochoa, who formerly worked at TX Whiskey in Fort Worth. The next three releases will be called Rogue, Warlock, and Dragon, but aside from the fact that each will have a different flavor profile and represent a unique character there’s not much more information about these future expressions. However, Lillard recently told The Hollywood Reporter that Paladin has notes of vanilla and fruit on the palate, and there’s a map on the back of the bottle and hit points on the side that increase as the level of whiskey decreases. That’s some serious gamer talk.

Quest’s End: Paladin will be available to purchase starting October 6 and will ship to consumers in November. The next whiskey comes out in January, followed by the last two in quarterly releases.

For more information please visit https://questsendwhiskey.com/

WHISKEY DEL BAC’S LIMITED RELEASE ‘NORMANDIE’

August 23, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Recently, Whiskey Del Bac, the Tucson-based distillery known for its award-winning American single malts, announced the launch of its fall seasonal limited release, Normandie.

Normandie, which was named one of the “12 Best New Spirits of the Year” by Robb Report, offers Whiskey Del Bac’s Classic American Single Malt whiskey aged in charred, new American white oak barrels, then finished in ex-Calvados brandy barrels. This small-batch whiskey release is named after the coastal region of Normandie, France, which is known for its creamy cheeses, rich seafood, and an abundance of apples and pears.

Also, only 1,400 bottles were produced nationwide and Normandie is officially back in stock (for a limited time) in Whiskey Del Bac’s online store.

Recently, Whiskey Del Bac, the Tucson-based distillery known for its award-winning American single malts, announced the launch of its fall seasonal limited release, Normandie.

Also, only 1,400 bottles were produced nationwide and Normandie is officially back in stock (for a limited time) in Whiskey Del Bac’s online store.

“It’s an honor to be able to share our Global Cask Collection with our customers,” said Head Distiller Mark Vierthaler. “Normandie is an opportunity to showcase the ways flavors and spirit styles of different countries interact with our distinctly Sonoran single malts.”

The new spirit is part of Whiskey Del Bac’s Global Cask Collection, a collection of annual releases inspired by places around the world where oak barrels are used to age wines or spirits. The collection includes Spanish sherry-inspired Frontera, the heavily-smoked Isley-inspired Ode to Islay, and Normandie with its French-inspired Calvados brandy finish.

“It’s a journey to the coastal region of France, as the Calvados barrels impart flavors of green apple and citrus with hints of cherry and freshly-cut flowers that counterbalance the traditionally heavy notes of our unsmoked single malts,” said Vierthaler. “It’s the perfect blend for fall.”

Recently, Whiskey Del Bac, the Tucson-based distillery known for its award-winning American single malts, announced the launch of its fall seasonal limited release, Normandie.

Also, only 1,400 bottles were produced nationwide and Normandie is officially back in stock (for a limited time) in Whiskey Del Bac’s online store.

Tasting notes for this release are caramel-dipped apples, sour cherry, and dulce de leche. On the palate, bright citrus brings up the front, with peppery notes across the mid-palate, ending with short-but-sweet caramel and stone fruit. The recommended serving for Normandie American single malt is with one large ice cube.

Each has an ABV of 48.5% and is 97 proof.

For more information and to purchase a bottle online, visit whiskeydelbac.com.

WhistlePig unveils its rarest release: Farmstock Rye

August 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Vermont-based producer WhistlePig has bottled its annual limited edition farm-to-bottle whiskey series: FarmStock Beyond Bonded.

Described as the brand’s ‘most ambitious whiskey experiment’, the expressions in the WhistlePig FarmStock Beyond Bonded series have been bottled in bond, having been harvested and distilled at the WhistlePig farm and distillery in Shoreham, Vermont in one season.

“FarmStock Beyond Bonded is at the heart of our strongest commitments to the whiskey world,” said Meghan Ireland, chief blender at WhistlePig.

“First, to relentlessly experiment to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Beyond Bonded is our greatest experiment in that we can control every detail of the process here on the farm.

“Then, to turn that innovative spirit into whiskeys that are truly unique in quality and complexity. It started with rye, and we’re having a grand time doing the same with Bourbon, wheat and other whiskeys.”

For the first time, this year’s FarmStock Beyond Bonded release includes a straight wheat whiskey, straight rye whiskey and a straight Bourbon whiskey.
The three WhistlePig FarmStock Beyond Bonded expressions, all of which rest at 50% ABV, are the product of grains from the brand’s nine grain fields across 500 acres.

All have been distilled and proofed with the farm’s own well water, and aged in their own sustainably-harvested Vermont oak.

WhistlePig said the range is its rarest release with just 23 barrels produced, each of which has been bottled as a single barrel, and are fully traceable at every step of the grain-to-glass journey via a QR code located on each bottle.

The distillery produced 11 barrels of the rye, nine barrels of the Bourbon, and three barrels of wheat whiskey.

The straight wheat whiskey joins the line-up with a mash bill of 100% wheat from WhistlePig’s experimental crop fields, bringing a ‘softer style’ to the range.

WhistlePig has experimented with wheat whiskey within all of its annual ‘Stock’ limited editions.

HomeStock Whiskey, released in 2020, and this year’s SummerStock Whiskey, both include wheat whiskey blended with rye and other grains.

FarmStock Beyond Bonded marks WhistlePig’s first straight wheat whiskey, and is said to demonstrate WhistlePig’s continued expansion beyond rye as it takes its bold style and experimental approach to new categories.

As a nod to WhistlePig’s beginnings at Vermont farmers markets, this year’s release of FarmStock Beyond Bonded can only be found only in its home state until the end of summer.

For more information please visit https://www.whistlepigwhiskey.com/

291 Colorado Whiskey Releases Wheated Bourbon Made for Summer

August 9, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— Award-winning distillery, 291 Colorado Whiskey, is thrilled to announce the release of 291 E Colorado Whiskey Batch 12, a four-grain wheated bourbon and its first experimental wheated bourbon presented since the 2013 release of 291 Bad Guy Bourbon. E Colorado Whiskey Batch 12 is an easy drinking, toast to Summer. The “Bad Guy”, released every Fall, was 291 Founding Distiller Michael Myers’ third mash bill and has been a cult favorite of 291 Colorado Whiskey fans since 2013.

Bottled at 121.6 proof, 291 E Colorado Whiskey Batch 12 (MSRP $149.99) is a marriage of barrels from two different wheated bourbon experiments, when combined resulted in a four-grain mash bill. Head Distiller Eric Jett filled the first barrels in 2018, while the founder’s batch was distilled in 2021. Myers was made with corn, malted white wheat, and rye malt; and the other created by Jett, was made with corn, malted white wheat, and malted barley.

“With a commitment to producing exceptional handcrafted American whiskey, we are proud of the release of Batch 12 which highlights 291’s dedication to innovation and experimentation,” said Myers. “This is an approachable bourbon and is a nod to summer, with notes of cinnamon graham cracker, big league chew bubble gum, sweet tarts and hot tamales candies and toasted marshmallow.”

To date twelve batches of experimental Colorado whiskey have been released by the emerging 291 brand. Each “E” Batch is an opportunity to test new ideas and create one-of-a-kind whiskeys and each utilizes different mash bills or finishes to create exciting new profiles of 291 Colorado Whiskey. Several earlier “E” releases have garnered significant recognition on the world stage, including 291 E Colorado Whiskey Batch 7, named 2021’s World’s Best Wheat by the World Whiskies Awards. “E” Batch 3 was the inspiration for 291’s recent All Rye 100% Rye Malt Whiskey and Batch 9 was a collaboration with Marianne Eaves for the inaugural Eave’s Blind project. Each new release showcases 291’s fearless approach to experimentation.

Recently named Breakout Distiller of the Year at the 2023 ASCOT Awards and the 291 Colorado Rye Whiskey earning “Best of Class” in the SIP Awards, 291 Colorado Whiskey has captivated whiskey enthusiasts with its distinct spirits. The award recognition has solidified the brand’s position as a trailblazer in the whiskey industry. Every whiskey made by the distillery tells a unique story, showcasing the passion and craftsmanship of the 291 team.

About 291 Colorado Whiskey

291 Colorado Whiskey is a uniquely American story honoring the Western whiskey of a bygone era. 291 is the passion project of a former New York City fashion photographer and was first created in a small basement from a one-of-a-kind still, constructed from old copper photographic plates. 291 is Hardmade the Colorado Way®, grain to barrel to bottle, and the distillery’s whiskies are finished with toasted staves of Colorado aspen trees. 291 Colorado Whiskey has been earning awards and recognition since its first run off the still in 2011. 291 was awarded 2022 Icons of Whiskey American Craft Distillery of the Year, World’s Best Wheat Whiskey in 2021 and World’s Best Rye Whiskey in 2018, and our white whiskeys were awarded Best American New Make in 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 by the World Whiskies Awards. The distillery has also earned 18 Liquid Gold designations from the Whisky Bible and similar high-altitude recognition from the IWSC, San Francisco International Spirits Competition, The American Whiskey Masters and numerous other competitions and publications.

For More Information:
https://distillery291.com/

Doc Swinson’s Garryana Exploratory Cask Straight Bourbon

August 9, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

The company, founded in 2017, is an independent bottler and the house brand of Distillers Way LLC. As an independent bottler, they source barrels of whiskey to bottle under their own label, often blending them to create a signature style, finishing them in a wide variety of wood types, and cutting to proof, though, here, the whiskey tends to be released close to cask proof.

Doc Swinson’s calls Ferndale, WA home. This tiny town is located near Vancouver, BC about 100 miles north of Seattle along the bay. Here, a team of four runs the entire operation: Jesse Parker, the Head Spirits Master; Steve Main, the Sales Director; Chris Cearns, the Chief Financial Officer; and Keith Seidel, the Director of Operations.

Parker is young with no formal training, but he cut his teeth at a small, family-owned distillery where he began racking up primo awards for his creations. He’s gone on to win several dozen more for his blends for Doc Swinson’s, including winning best in class for finished bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

As an independent bottler, the brand sources all of their whiskies—nothing is distilled in house. The current line up all hails from Midwest Grain Products Distillery in Lawrenceburg, IN, aka MGP. Sourcing from this large distillery in Indiana can be a prickly subject for some, but the team at Doc Swinson’s makes no attempts to hide and certainly excels with their selections (see the aforementioned awards).

The lineup reminds me of some releases from Buzzard’s Roost I tasted last year, another producer that releases finished whiskies from rye-heavy MGP mash bills in a similar price range, though with a radically different char for the finishing barrels. Doc Swinson’s lineup tends not show the lushness, pillowy sweetness, and aromatic intensity I often associate with MGP bourbons. Instead they manage an unusual twist of reserved yet complex aromatics. Perhaps it’s just that salty Vancouver bay air.

This whiskey being tasted today, the Doc Swinson’s Garryana Exploratory Cask Straight Bourbon, is one of several from the “Exploratory Cask” series. The house base, a blend of two different rye-heavy bourbons distilled by MGP, was finished in 350L Garryana oak casks for two and a half months.

Garryana oak is a white oak native to the Pacific Northwest along the coastal area. Working with local wood is of growing interest in the wine trade, too, as producers explore alternative techniques and focus on sustainability by sourcing locally. It’s exciting to see its use in whiskey.

In the glass, the local oak finishing is described by the company as showcasing “the richness of the Pacific Northwest terroir offering deep, dark, and complex notes ranging from molasses, toffee, clove, BBQ plums, and a subtle wood smoke.” If you’re looking to explore some PNW terroir, Doc Swinson’s is distributed in 26 states and Canada.

About Doc Swinson’s

The Doc Swinson’s Collection began with an extremely small cache of Bourbon Barrels that were just too good to pass up. It has since grown into a unique and on occasion extremely rare, collection of American whiskies. The proof is in the palate. Each whiskey brought in is personally tasted by the four of us at Doc Swinson’s. If it’s good we will find a place for it in either the Flagship, Exploratory or Rare Release series.

When it comes to finishing techniques, we look to the old-world traditions that have stood the test of time, from Scottish whiskey blenders to the timeless sherry pyramids of the Spanish solera. However, sometimes we stumble upon a whiskey that needs no perfecting and we simply bottle at cask strength.

Whatever whiskey comes through these doors, our small group of tastemakers at Doc’s work hard to create flavor profiles that hold our expectations of great whiskey to a higher standard; and that starts by always letting the whiskey shine.

For more information please visit https://www.docswhiskey.com/about

Wyoming Whiskey Releases Special ‘Integrity’ Bourbon Inspired By Sen. Al Simpson

August 3, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Al Simpson has inspired generations of Wyomingites, met heads of state around the globe and is a Medal Freedom recipient. Now his name is on a special batch of Wyoming Whiskey bourbon called “Integrity.”

Integrity is a word frequently used to describe former U.S. senator and lifelong Wyoming resident Al Simpson. Now, the same superlative is on the label of a special batch of bourbon exclusively available in the Cowboy State.

Wyoming Whiskey, recently named one of the nation’s top 10 craft whiskey distilleries by USA Today, continues to make its mark from the small town of Kirby in Hot Springs County.

When the master distillers at Wyoming Whiskey recognize a superior batch, they set it aside for special releases and anniversaries. “Integrity” is one of those batches, released exclusively in Wyoming as a tribute to Alan Simpson, 91.

“The nature and spirit of Wyoming Whiskey is to be a true product of Wyoming,” said Alex Akselrad of Verde Brands Communications, which handles public relations for Wyoming Whiskey. “The ingredients and human resources all come from Wyoming. The product is fermented, distilled and bottled in Wyoming. (The company) is centered around doing things the right way, not the easy way.”

Ben Galagan is a Cody resident and whiskey connoisseur who has known Simpson for decades.

Galagan hasn’t had a sip of Wyoming Whiskey since trying its first batch years ago, but was already helping himself to a second glass of Integrity while describing the experience to Cowboy State Daily this week.

“Now I’m getting caramel notes on the nose,” Galagan said.

“The Integrity edition perfectly embodies what Wyoming’s way of life truly is. It is smooth to the nose and to taste, with a semi-sweet dark chocolate note to remind you of the complexity of bourbon,” he said. “There isn’t much for harshness within. It has a gentle mouth feel for a bourbon’s standard. It’s simple in flavor, easy going.

“It’s not trying too hard to be exciting, it’s content with what it is, and it shines because of that.”

Integrity will be available at the Wyoming Whiskey tasting rooms in Kirby and Jackson and at retail locations aroundthe state that already sell Wyoming Whiskey. But given that it’s a special batch, its quantity is limited.

“Once the last bottle is sold and drank, that’s it,” Akselrad said.

As someone who knows Wyoming and Senator Simpson, Galagan said he believes Wyoming Whiskey’s Integrity is a perfect tribute to both.

“Easy going, smooth, warm, simple. Much like Wyoming values, the Integrity Edition doesn’t strive to be the best. It strives to hold true to its core values and its history throughout,” he said.

Spirit Of, And For, Wyoming

While most of Wyoming Whiskey’s product is aged five years, Integrity is being bottled after aging seven years. This makes a “profound impact” on any whiskey’s flavor notes and profile, the company says.

The bourbon’s official description describes the integrity of Simpson and why he inspired the special batch.

“Parental guidance followed by the original, respected and memorable Alan K. Simpson,” it says. “Forthright and funny. Family and friendship. Defining principles that inform a disarming approach to all opportunities and challenges.

“Army Infantry, State Legislature, U.S. Senate, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and countless others (were) made better by his wit and wisdom. Cody, Wyoming, and the United States are lucky to have him. And we are proud to honor him with a bourbon of character and distinction fit for a legend.”

Akselrad said the bourbon “embodies the spirit of Wyoming and ties into the spirit with which Alan Simpson represented Wyoming for so long.”

For more information please visit https://wyomingwhiskey.com/