Whistling Hare out of Westminster Colorado is a small batch distillery that focuses on producing premium spirits made from local ingredients. They are named for the Pika, which earned the nickname “Whistling Hare” from the chirp it makes.
Whistling Hare’s website says their spirits are inspired by their appreciation for the great outdoors specifically the Colorado Backcountry. I highly recommend a trip into their distillery to enjoy a couple of nice cocktails and hear some of their story first hand.
In the Bottle:
Mashbill:
100% Colorado Rye
Age:
Aged at least 2 years in New American Oak.
<h3 style=”text-align: center;”>Proof:</h3>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>43% Abv (86 Proof)</p>
In the Glass:
Color:
Bronze with no cloudiness or oils showing in the glass, but decent legs on the glass showing some oily consistency.
Without Water:
Nose:
Earthy and woody, with clear rye notes coming through with the earthy tones. There is a bright, ripe berry that is present as well, combined with the wood and earthy notes makes for a sensation like being in a field with bright red fruit bushes ready to be picked.
Palate:
Up front are flavors of sweet vanilla and brown sugar, other flavors imparted from the toasted oak. This moves into a mid palate full of bitter notes on the side of the mouth of tobacco and leather, and spicy white pepper with allspice on the top of the tongue.
Finish:
A burst of flavor but a relatively short finish, leaving notes of the fruits, spice, and vanilla that fade quickly, replaced with tobacco and leather that linger on for just a little while longer.
With Water:
Nose:
The spice and pepper fade a bit, but with a more green earthy smell coming through with the notes of ripe berry bushes. There is a hint of sweet baked goods that linger around the aroma of the glass as well.
Palate:
Toasted oak, vanilla, and brown sugar explode right off the bat, jumping out much stronger after a little bit of water is added. The tobacco and leather notes on the mid palate compliment the spices of the white pepper while keeping a nice full mouthfeel that allows all of these to continue all the way through the finish.
Finish:
A significant increase in the duration of the finish with more of the rye bread, white pepper, and allspice coming through. That wonderful tobacco and leather after taste though stay for a good amount of time.
Final Thoughts:
Whistling Hare really nailed it with this release. Their spirits are something that are all worth trying, especially in the cocktails they serve at the distillery. I think this particular bottle would make an excellent high end Manhattan.
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