88

Score

StoneHammer Distiller's Reserve, 45%

Price: $25 Issue: Spring 2018 Reviewer: Fred Minnick

Think cherries—they dominate the nose over earth, oak, and blueberries. Then it's leather, tobacco, cigar box, and burnt pie crust edges. Finally, two notes become one, as cherry pie, with hints of rhubarb and cola. It sets itself up to be a prime whiskey, but the notes just fall off on a short finish. If only the backbone held up, this could be remarkable stuff.