Collaborations are one of the best parts of the Colorado Craft industry. There are so many producers of beers, wines, and spirits all making fantastic products and putting their name into the fore front. When two of these producers get together to create, the results are almost always special. This Aspen Aged Rye Whiskey from Locke + Co Distillery finished in Attimo Nebbiolo casks is one of those special collaborations. Named Kindred Spirits, one sip of this whiskey makes it obvious that’s more than just a name.
Attimo winery is based in rigorous Italian Tradition, importing the wines to be bottled here in Denver. You can read more about them on their about us page, and I highly recommend checking that out here: https://www.attimowine.com/About-Us/The-Vineyard.
Locke + Co is a an awesome story of it’s own. Started with brewing and distilling on the side, Owen Locke told some of the story on A Colorado Craft Podcast with me, and it’s clear that the craft is taken seriously, and the rest is not. You can check out the whole podcast episode to listen to him talk about the craft, and it’s clear the passion that he has for the whiskey.
Getting two Colorado producers who share a passion for their craft together ends with this bottle. And as I said earlier – it is special.
Please Note: This bottle was provided to us at no charge by Locke + Co distillery to be reviewed on the site. As laid out in our about us page, this does not influence our final tasting notes or opinions of the bottle.
In the Bottle:
Mashbill:
95% Rye
5% Barley
Age:
2 Years in a 30 GallonCharred New American Oak Barrel to start, then 8 months with the aspen discs. Finally finished for 13 months in a 59 Gallon Attimo Nebbiolo Barrel.
Proof:
103.5 Proof (51.75% ABV)
In the Glass:
Color:
Golden Amber and clear, but there is a distinct red tinge. It is clear, and leaves decent legs on the glass.
Without Water:
Nose:
Lots of baking spices and cinnamon right away, but there are some fresh floral notes and some dried red fruit. It’s sweet, earthy, and floral all at once.
Palate:
Sweet up front with some notes of vanilla and caramel. A coating mid palate, almost heavy – Even Chewy – mouth feel. The mid palate is spicy, full of dried fruit, and an earthy, oak and wood quality that really adds a lot of depth.
Finish:
This is where the spices and dried fruit really come through, and I think the best example of the two different products working together. The red fruit is dry but just sweet enough to play with the cinnamon spice that comes through, creating almost a candy like finish.
With Water:
Nose:
A lot more floral and earthy notes with the water added, creating a fresh, autumnal nose that has just enough sweet notes to be extremely inviting.
Palate:
The sweetness right up front fades a little, but still lots of caramel and vanilla. The red fruits come through stronger, making the mid palate a little drier. Lots of wood, and a little bit of bitter notes all adding to the complexity.
Finish:
The finish is a bit shorter with the water added, but the marriage of wine and whiskey still really show the best side on the finish, being tannic, oaky, and full of red fruit and spicy cinnamon.
Final Thoughts:
Nebbiolo is not a varietal of wine that I would say is my go to. I need to try more of them. The fantastic flavors of the rye whiskey with the aspen wood was already a great pairing. The Wine Cask adds without taking anything away, and gives a great compliment to the whiskey.
There’s so many possible combinations of collaborations in Colorado, with such a large amount of wineries, distilleries, and breweries, there are going to be so many opportunities for great projects such as this. Locke + Co and Attimo are not the first to do a Colorado Collaboration, and they will not be the last. They are continuing a tradition of excellence, and as long as the people who are crafting keep working together, the future of Colorado Craft is bright.
Sign Up for our Newsletter!
Coming out about once a month to start, coinciding with our podcast episodes. We’ll include events that concluded in the last month, upcoming events, releases, reviews, links to the podcast, and other happenings in Colorado! I look forward to expanding the content from the site to bring even more Colorado Craft right to your inbox.
Consider helping us keep the lights on, servers up, and the whiskies pouring! You can do so by clicking and shopping through any of our affiliate links, donating with Paypal directly, or purchasing our swag from our shop!
