Latest news with #AmericanSingleMalt
Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Yellowstone American Single Malt review – their best whiskey yet?
Yellowstone's whiskey lineup, featuring their standout American Single Malt alongside two bourbon expressions. | Yellowstone I tried three Yellowstone whiskeys expecting the bourbon to impress. But it was their American Single Malt that blew everything else away. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When I was sent a trio of Yellowstone whiskeys to try, I assumed the headline act would be one of the bourbons. After all, Yellowstone is best known for its Kentucky heritage. But it was the new American Single Malt that completely stole the show – refined, complex, and genuinely impressive. Here's how all three bottles stack up – and which one is worth spending your money on. Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey (54% ABV) Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is Yellowstone's first foray into the increasingly competitive world of American single malt – and it's an absolute triumph. Made from 100% malted barley and aged in new charred American oak, it arrives at a punchy 54% ABV but drinks smoother than many bottles at lower strength. The nose is subtle but elegant, with cereal malt, honey and a trace of peach blossom. On the palate, it opens into layers of pear, dates, and stone fruit, with a sweet, medium body that feels luxurious. Add a drop of water, and you'll find gentle cinnamon warmth and toasted walnut notes carrying through to a lovely oak finish. The standout of the range – Yellowstone's American Single Malt Whiskey delivers bold flavour and Kentucky craftsmanship. | Yellowstone It's a grown-up dram – sophisticated, balanced, and a real surprise from a bourbon-focused brand. Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon (46.5% ABV) This is the bottle you'd probably expect to lead the range: a small-batch straight bourbon from a seventh-generation distilling family, blending 4- to 7-year-old barrels. The nose delivers beautifully – vanilla, rye spice, and smoked caramel – but on the palate, it's a little underwhelming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There's a slightly bitter edge, and while it's certainly drinkable, it lacks the depth and creamy body you'd hope for at this price. Yellowstone Rum Cask Bourbon (50% ABV) Finished in rum casks as part of the Special Finishes Collection, this version promises tropical fruit and warm molasses notes layered over classic bourbon spice. But in practice, the finish doesn't make much impact. There's a faint touch of banana on the nose, but the taste is surprisingly flat and fades fast. Not unpleasant, just a little bland for something that should have stood out more. Final verdict The Yellowstone American Single Malt is the clear standout here – elegant, well-crafted and a serious contender in a growing category. If you're curious about where American whiskey is headed, this is a bottle worth seeking out. The Select Bourbon is fine, just not memorable, and the Rum Cask version sadly fails to live up to its promise.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Best American Single Malt Whiskey From The 2025 SF World Spirits Competition
The Finalists for Best American Single Malt Whiskey From The 2025 SFWSC American Single Malt whiskey is rapidly gaining a reputation as world-class spirits. These five whiskeys, all finalists for World's Best American Single Malt Whiskey at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, represent some of the finest American single malts currently produced. One of these five will be named the best American single malt whiskey. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for each of the finalists. Triple Eight Distillery, part of the Cisco Brewers family on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, is renowned for its artisanal spirits. The distillery has consistently garnered gold medals at international spirit competitions. Their "Notch" series reflects a commitment to traditional Scottish methods, using 100% Maris Otter malted barley, an heirloom variety, and double distillation in a single Arnold Holstein pot still. The 15-year expression is aged solely on Nantucket, where the coastal climate imparts a unique maritime character to the whisky, utilizing a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. This expression is among the oldest American single malts currently available. The whisky presents rich sherry cask aromas on the nose, featuring stewed and dried fruits, chocolate, and toasted nuts. It is robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, coconut, caramel, and wood spices. The finish is long and sweet with lingering notes of dried fruits and a hint of toasted almond. Balcones Distilling, located in Waco, Texas, is a pioneer in the American craft whiskey movement. The Mirador expression stands out for being aged exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, diverging from the distillery's typical reliance on new oak. This approach allows the nuanced flavors of the malted barley to shine, resulting in a profile that bridges the gap between traditional Scotch and the bold flavors of Texas whiskey. The whiskey is floral and fruity on the nose, featuring floral potpourri, stone and tropical fruits, herbaceous notes of fresh hay, and a slight candied sweetness. It is rich and creamy on the palate, showcasing lemon cream, chocolate, stewed red berries, subtle herbaceous notes, and shortbread. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering floral, fruity, and herbal notes. For an in-depth look at Balcones, Mirador, see Jared Himstedt On The State of American Single Malt Whiskey. The World Whiskey Society, based in Georgia, pays homage to iconic figures from American frontier history through its limited-edition releases. The Wyatt Earp Small Batch is a tribute to the legendary lawman of the American West. Distilled in Oklahoma, the whisky is presented in a distinctive bottle adorned with a U.S. Marshal badge and silver bullet topper, reflecting Earp's storied legacy. The whisky is rich and aromatic on the nose, featuring dark chocolate, candied citrus zest, vanilla, caramel, and a malty/cooked cereal sweetness reminiscent of raisin bread. The palate is flavorful and creamy, with an oily, viscous mouthfeel, showcasing notes of dark chocolate, fig, raisin, white pepper, and a hint of mint. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of dried fruit. Whiskey and Ice Stranahan's Distillery, established in Denver, Colorado, in 2004, is a trailblazer in American single malt whiskey. The Mountain Angel 12 Year is their oldest release to date. It's aged in new American oak barrels at high altitude with pronounced diurnal and seasonal temperature variations, resulting in a significant "angel's share" evaporation and a heavily extracted, flavorful whisky that exhibits substantial wood influence. This extended maturation, coupled with a finish in Port wine casks, imparts a depth and complexity reminiscent of well-aged Scotch. The nose is fruity and aromatic, showcasing stewed and roasted stone fruits, particularly nectarine and dried apricot, fig jam, and lavender potpourri. The whiskey is rich and creamy on the palate, highlighting fruity notes of blueberry jam, raspberry syrup, lemon cream, candied ginger, dried dark berries, fig jam, caramel, wood spices, and seasoned oak. The finish is long, sweet, and silky with lingering notes of dried fruit, wood spices, and a hint of smoke. The annual Stranahan's Snowflake release is a highly anticipated event, with enthusiasts camping overnight at the Denver distillery for a chance to purchase this limited-edition whiskey. Each Snowflake expression is unique, crafted by marrying various cask-finished single malts, including barrels that previously held wines, sherry, port, tequila, rum, and other spirits. This innovative blending produces a complex, layered whiskey, featuring a nuanced and ever-evolving flavor profile. The whiskey is fruity and aromatic on the nose, featuring orange zest, peach, nectarine, dried apricot, and a hint of cherry syrup. It is smooth and creamy on the palate, showcasing fruity notes of prune, peach, apricot, cinnamon, and a hint of clove. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of dried fruit, cinnamon, and seasoned oak. These American single malt whiskeys are all exceptional. If you enjoy Scotch whisky, you will likely appreciate these finalists. They remain true to their Scottish and Irish roots while showcasing their whiskeys through an American lens. Unlike Ireland or Scotland, the U.S. offers a wide range of maturation environments, allowing American single malt whiskey to display a far broader array of expressions and a spectrum of aroma and taste profiles found nowhere else in the world. The golden age of American single malt whiskey is just beginning, and these five finalists are a great place to start your exploration.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Balcones Distilling and The Other Art Fair Launch Second Year of Artistic Collaboration
Texas-based Balcones Distilling, a leader in the newly official American Single Malt category, once again partners with The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles and Brooklyn to celebrate emerging art and artists' unique perspectives WACO, Texas, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning distillery Balcones Distilling and renowned global art fair, The Other Art Fair, two pioneering forces reshaping the worlds of art and whisky, announce the second iteration of their creative partnership set to unfold during the upcoming series of spring fairs. Balcones, the 2024 World Whiskies Awards' World's Best Craft Producer of the Year, has strived to be at the forefront of the whisky revolution in Texas, always bringing an artful approach to their whisky-making. The Other Art Fair is known for connecting independent artists with art enthusiasts in vibrant, welcoming settings worldwide. United by a passion for creativity and innovation, their collaboration celebrates artistry through a series of activations. "Crafted with artistic inspiration, our deep and bright whiskies invite drinkers to reimagine American whisky. For us, whisky-making is a canvas—an opportunity to express ourselves and help redefine what American Single Malts from Texas can and should be," said Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones Distilling. "Alongside The Other Art Fair, we believe this partnership allows our independent artists the same opportunity—the space to push boundaries, challenge the status quo and share their craft with the world." Entering its second year, the Artist in Residence initiative offers artists a platform to break traditional boundaries and present their unique perspectives. In 2024, Balcones and The Other Art Fair collaborated to spotlight artists whose creativity embodied the spirit of Balcones. Looking ahead to Spring 2025—following the landmark recognition of American Single Malt as an official whisky category by the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau —Balcones continues to champion innovation and fresh perspectives. Local artists are invited to create installations inspired by the Balcones ethos, uncovering new perspectives on Texas whisky—both through their artistic lens and the craftsmanship of Balcones. "Balcones was founded with a bold, whimsical spirit and an unrelenting drive to explore uncharted territory in the world of whisky," said Frank Dudley, director of Emerging Brands at DIAGEO. "That same passion for discovery drew us to The Other Art Fair and its unconventional approach to artistry. Last year's incredible collaboration reaffirmed our belief that creativity is not just about what you look at, but what you truly see, allowing artists to interpret this vision in their own way." With each artist chosen for their unique perspective and artistic style, muralist Moncho 1929 (Dan Monteavaro) of Los Angeles will be kicking off the Artist in Residence program with his showcase at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles February 20-23 at The Stage at Casitas in Los Angeles, Calif., followed by another local artist at The Other Art Fair Brooklyn May 8-11 at Zerospace in Brooklyn, New York. "We're thrilled to welcome Balcones as our headline drinks partner for the second year and to join us in our mission in challenging the traditional structures of the art world by creating an experience for art lovers, artists and whisky aficionados alike that feels uniquely unstuffy and accessible. Like Balcones, we believe that creativity shouldn't be confined to convention or rule, and how you enjoy it shouldn't be either," said Nicole Garton, global fair director at The Other Art Fair. Beyond the Artist in Residence program, attendees 21+ at The Other Art Fair can enjoy expertly crafted Balcones cocktails, meet with Balcones distillery team members to sample a selection of award-winning American Single Malt whiskies and experience firsthand what makes the newly defined whisky category so unique. Additional details on The Other Art Fair can be found here. For more information on Balcones Distilling, and where to purchase the award-winning whiskies, visit About Balcones DistillingBalcones Distilling pioneered a new landscape for whisky by combining centuries of single malt distilling tradition with the unique flavors of Texas. Synonymous with quality and innovation, Balcones Distilling is an award-winning distillery that is changing the state of whisky through its high-quality ingredients and unique processes to create layers of flavor in every expression. Creator of the original Texas whisky, Balcones Distilling distills all of its beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in downtown Waco. Guests can visit the distillery for tours, tastings and events to discover the new state of whisky with Balcones. Visit for more information. About Diageo North AmericaDiageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. About The Other Art FairThe Other Art Fair is a global art fair that connects independent artists with thousands of art buyers in a welcoming and creative environment. Set against the backdrop of the world's biggest cities, each Fair delivers the unexpected, combining access to boundary-pushing yet always-affordable artworks with immersive installations, performances, and unique features. The result is an inspiring, evocative, inclusive, and fun event that creates lasting connections between artists and art lovers. Since its launch in 2011, The Other Art Fair has worked with over 3,000 artists from more than 20 countries and now hosts 10 fairs annually across the UK, the US, and Australia. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Balcones Distilling
