A blend of 14 year old and two 8 year old bourbons, with one of the 8 year olds finished in sauternes casks. Fragrant, with mature oak, honey-roasted peanuts, sassafras, citrus, and sandalwood. A dense chewy palate, but without an overly heavy oak influence. Coffee beans, black cherry jam, and dark chocolate notes, with water adding cola, ginger, candle wax, and winter spice. Chocolate malt, blueberry pie, toffee, and spice on the finish.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

Powerful from the onset, with pronounced rich oak, woodsmoke, charred marshmallow, caramel, dried leaves, and bitter chocolate. Big and brawny on the palate as well, offering cooked prunes and a profusion of other dark fruit notes, milk chocolate, espresso, and balanced oak influence. Dark berries and chocolate-fudge syrup mark the finish. A big, assertive whiskey that definitely needs water, but is solidly built and has plenty of character.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

Root beer float and vanilla ice cream balance with spiced sassafras on the nose, along with notes of old library book and lemon tartness at the edges. The palate bursts forth with heat and some arch oak, offering licorice, dark chocolate, jalapeño pepper, and cooked dark fruit. Spice takes control on the finish, trailed by bitter chocolate and coffee. Rambunctious at times, but well spiced and with complex, mature flavors.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

The nose is refreshing and uplifting; waxed lemons, white pepper, snuff, jellied fruits, pine needles, florals, and soft vanilla ice cream indicate first-fill bourbon barrels. It takes a while for its wings to unfurl, slowly revealing nougat, lemon sherbet, toffee, vanilla, walnut, and pepper flavors, then roasted coffee beans, dark fruit, baked peach, and plain chocolate; however, the fluctuating flavor trajectory doesn’t all quite link up. (Oklahoma and Illinois)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2021)

Candied oranges and watermelon, pineapple, and confectionery shop meet tropical fruit grove, anchored by an earthy note of potpourri. There’s sweetness on the palate, but a chile powder heat serves as counterweight when things become spicier—quite different from its dulcet start, though water evens out the balance. The finish reveals cinnamon-raisin cake and Christmas spice. There’s generous spice and sweetness here, but at times a lack of balance.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

An earthy nose of burnt marshmallows, clay, tree bark, and birch beer along with nutmeg, cinnamon, and other baking spices. The palate is hoppy, with licorice, zesty citrus, vanilla cream, and dark chocolate. A bready finish shows notes of allspice and ginger, as well as fudge brownie and peanut butter cookie. The finishing cask does the bulk of the talking here, with creamy dark chocolate notes throughout.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

Earthy and vegetal on the nose, notes of celery salt, cherry cola, nutmeg, and honey bun. With water, aromas of leather, licorice, and hints of sandalwood and allspice surface. On the palate, more honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, baked apple, pepper spice, and bitter oak. Water adds chocolate, cinnamon coffee cake, and a gentle nuttiness. Bitter chocolate on the finish. Loaded with spice and balanced sweetness. An undeniable composition of flavor. (Distillery only)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

One of 12 whiskeys released in Berkshire Mountain Distillers’ Craft Brewers Whiskey Project. Tropical on the nose, followed by bright hoppy bitterness on a palate that also features bittersweet chocolate, more citrus, lemon iced tea, lemon cake, candied oranges, and spice cabinet. The finish is light but flavorful and lengthy, and is accented by savory notes and bitter spice. This is citrus-forward, with appealing bitterness and a well-integrated balance of sweetness and spice.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

Distilled from unhoped wash produced to the recipe of Surly Furious IPA. A rush of citrus on the nose, accompanied by an earthy hint of dried flowers and sweeter aromas of dark fruit and ripe blackberries. A dense rich palate of dark chocolate, Christmas cake, confectioners’ sugar, honeyed raisins, and mint, all merging into a spiced, tasty finish of subtly integrated chocolate, cinnamon, kiwi, orange, and apricot. A well-executed balance of spice, citrus, and sweetness.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

Distilled from Racer 5 IPA. Quite citrusy at first—candied orange slices, orange tart, fresh lemon, lemon soda, sugary oak, honeyed breakfast cereal, vanilla, and lilac. Ashy, charred oak on a very complex palate, with a silky, syrupy texture that offers black cherry and maple syrup, honey on toast, burnt brown sugar, roasted grains and malt. Chocolate and more roasted malt on a creamy spiced finish, while water adds orange peel. Unusual, but certainly creative.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2021)

Rich dessert notes on the nose: dulce de leche, flan, wet walnuts, strawberry syrup, milk chocolate, and blueberry pie. Syrupy with or without water. Plenty of heat on the palate alongside caramel and fruity sweetness, barrel char, and new wood. Water tames things down, bringing out cinnamon Red Hots, red chile pepper flakes, and chocolate-covered cherries. Fiery spice and barrel char continue on to the finish.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

Notes of tropical fruit highlight the nose, with tangerines, orange peel, and papaya alongside hay, licorice, butterscotch, and pronounced grain. The palate is smooth and creamy, with pancake syrup, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, balanced oak, roasted peanuts, coffee, and earthen warehouse floor. Flavors peak on the finish with more orange, cherry, cinnamon, almond, and, with water, cocoa powder, baking spice, blackberry jam, and charred oak.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

Finished in oloroso sherry casks. Stewed plums and Raisinets on the nose, along with raspberry pastilles, dried pineapple, honeysuckle, lemon drops, and pear. The palate is creamy up front, offering notes of apple pie, vanilla fudge, and semi-sweet chocolate. On the finish there’s some cinnamon and other baking spices, hints of strawberries, and more chocolate. Shows good balance, with softer, lightly fruited flavors.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

Made with 83% wheat. The nose is earthy, with notes of tree bark, potting soil, and musty attic, along with spicy cayenne pepper, dried apple slices, and green tea. The palate is silky, with sustained earthiness, bitter chocolate, pistachio, and a hint of coconut. Add water and the oak is more pronounced. A mouth-coating finish has a lot to offer, with chocolate, caffe latte, and espresso.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

Cherry cough syrup, cinnamon French toast, spearmint gum, boiled peanuts, dried flowers, hay, and a hint of sandalwood on a sweet and earthy nose. Creamy texture on a bitter palate, with dried cherries and strawberries, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate. With water there is tart cherry cobbler. Good length on a woody finish, with some vanilla cream and spice.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

This high-malt bourbon was finished for 6 months in tawny port casks. Orange marmalade, grapefruit oil, and raspberry preserves highlight a fruity and citrus-forward nose that also features roasted grains. The silky and spiced palate displays roasted walnuts, dark berries, semi-sweet chocolate, plums, and coffee ice cream. Deceptively light all the way through the finish, which has hints of chocolate, cinnamon, and red fruit. An adept balance of spirit and cask.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2021)

The lack of sweetness or fruitiness on the nose makes this feel austere, with aromatic five spice, oiled woods, bell pepper, celery stalks, and tulips. The taste profile starts light with bitter lemon, vanilla, and a little waxiness, then develops flavors of gentle pepper and vanilla ice cream, then leaves a palate coated in unctuous creaminess. It turns out to be rather moreish in the end.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2021)

A deeply intense whisky, with prunes, molasses, black grape, peppercorn, black mustard seed, and allspice notes, then a waft of burnt heather twigs. The palate is a dense concoction of brown sugar, stewed fruit, pepper, oxidized apple peels, bramble, oak tannins, clove, and hints of savory juices. Water tames the tannins, flushing out a softer, fruiter side, but this sophisticated profile is still quite an acquired taste. (216 bottles for the U.S.)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2021)