The Fall issue of Whisky Advocate is on the newsstands now, and it features a full cover feature on whiskey’s biggest new thing, American single malt. As we write in our story, single malt is a pan-national phenomenon, encompassing nearly every state in the Union. The flavor variations of the style are significant. And here are a few examples of the varied complexity they offer. (Listed in order as pictured above.)
91 Sea Fog, 45%, $75
Made by Newport Distilling, Rhode Island’s oceanside distiller. Bright citrus, with hints of malt, vanilla, and oak flavors abound.
90 Stranahan’s 10 year old Mountain Angel, 47.3%, $130
A Colorado institution that focuses on single malt. Vanilla cream, toasty oak, cherry sorbet, candied raspberries, and coconut shavings
91 St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary Edition (Lot 22), 48%, $500
Elder statesman of the craft distilling movement and an early progenitor of American single malt. Rich milk chocolate, blueberries, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla latte
90 Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled, 52.85%, $70
The first American single malt from this Tennessee whiskey giant. Jammy flavors of passion fruit, peach baked apple, and blackberry coulis
90 FEW Spirits, 46.5%, $70
From Chicago’s multi-faceted, creative craft whiskey maker. Earthy, with fresh grains, lemon, lime, melon, and pepper spice
93 The Notch 15 year old (Batch 2), 48$, $500
From Triple Eight Distillery on Nantucket Island, this smacks with flavors of rancio, melon, jammy grape, cooked apples, and chocolate.
91 Virginia Distillery Co. Courage & Conviction Cuvee Single Cask (No. 1266), 59.2%, $150
A graceful whiskey from the Blue Ridge Mountains that’s richly spiced alongside grape, blueberry pie, vanilla, coconut, dark chocolate, and pepper spice.
90 Dogfish Head Alternate Takes Volume 4, 43% $70
A premiere craft brewer succeeds at whiskey making. Woody, Bing cherries, Fig Newtons, dates, and toasted nuts
