10th Mountain Distillery in Gypsum and Vail
Born of the traditions of the 10th Mountain Division, the 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company is an extension of the Mountain Lifestyle. The 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company is a tribute to the honor the 10th Mountain soldiers who inspired their way of life, as well as a tribute to the people who love and embrace the Mountain Lifestyle.
Mile High Bourbon and Rye was lucky enough to sit down and talk with Bryan and Ryan of 10th Mountain Distillery to talk about their history, the whiskey and spirits they produce, and learn more about the history of the 10th Mountain. It was on this trip I picked up a bottle of the American Single Malt which I get to write about now. You can watch the full episode on youtube (included below) or listen where ever you get your podcasts!
In the Bottle:
Mashbill:
100% Malted Barley
Age:
2 Years in New American Oak Barrels, Char Level #4.
Proof:
90 Proof (45% ABV)
In the Glass:
Color:
Pale Amber and clear.
Without Water:
Nose:
Malty Chocolate notes right up front immediately showcase the Mash of this whiskey. There are green, earthy, and funky notes that are prevalent right away – can be described almost as the fermenting mash when you visit a distillery. Reminded me of the peat funk but without the smoke.
Palate:
Sweet off the bat, brown or burnt sugars that give a pleasant sweet start. It is light yet oily, coating the mouth but not heavily, almost like a lightly creamy texture. Cocoa and baked goods on the mid palate keep this sweet but not overly so.
Finish:
Long finish that is full of malt balls, caramel, and that earthy quality the nose was full of. The earthy funk is what lingers the longest, again giving some of the non-smoky scotch quality I found fantastic.
With Water:
Nose:
A little less funk, a a little more chocolate malt and nuts. It still has what I’ve only been able to describe as a “green” earthy note.
Palate:
Not as much sweetness, but a brown sugar right off the bat flavor. The water did not retract from the mouthfeel at all, keeping that light, coating, oily quality. It is almost floral with some honey notes coming through I didn’t notice right away before the water.
Finish:
Slightly less length but still plenty long. The earthy Scotch notes still hang around the finish with a little more caramel and some baking spices.
Final Thoughts:
As of the posting of this review, American Single Malt is now a recognized category by the TTB, following some specific rules:
- Is Mashed, distilled, and aged in the US
- Is distilled entirely at one US distillery
- Is distilled to 160 proof or less
- Is distilled from a fermented mash of 100% Malted Barley
- Is stored in Oak Barrels (used, uncharred new, or charred new) with a max capacity of 700L
- To designate as “Straight” American Single Malt, it must be aged for no less than 2 years.
- Is bottled at no less than 80 Proof.
This new designation will also allow for use of caramel coloring only if it is disclosed on the label.
American Single Malt has been a long time coming as an official designation, and has been a strong category of growth in the US whiskey industry from what I have seen. It is no wonder the US has officially recognized it, as it produces fantastic whiskies such as this from 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company.
Scotland and Ireland may both have claims to the oldest whiskey production on Earthy, and here in the US Kentucky is typically the clear cut whiskey center, but I put American Single Malt up against the world in the same way I put Colorado Whiskey up against any of them. They may be younger and new(ish) to the game, but don’t count out the innovation and flavors that many distilleries in Colorado are producing – delicious bottles like this are the reason that American Single Malt has gained it’s newfound status and why Colorado will continue to make it’s name known in the distilling world.
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