ASM American Single Malt Whiskey Finished in Sherry Casks - Review

The Details

ASM

American Single Malt Whiskey

Finished in Sherry Casks

Aged at least 3 Years prior to Secondary Finishing

In Sherry Casks and Pot Smoked Oak

Produced and Bottled by ASM Brands

Zebulon, North Carolina

42% ABV / 84 Proof

Mashbill: 100% Malt Barley

Price: $65

Poured Neat and with 2mL of Water in a Copita Nosing Glass

Appearance: Gold

Nose: Malt, Bright Fruits, Plums, Honey and Vanilla

Nose with Water: Fruits forward, Honey and Vanilla

Palate: Well Balanced, Red Apples, Pears, Honey, Light Baking Spices and Vanilla

Palate with Water: Much more prominent Red Delicious Apples, Honey and lighter Baking Spices

Finish: Warm, Lingering and Oily with Sweetness coating the throat

Finish with Water: Refreshingly Sweet and Warm

Awards:

Double Gold - New York International Spirits Competition 2022 / 96 Points

Double Gold - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022

Gold - The South's Best Spirits Awards 2023

Overall: Surprised in the best way possible. A well balanced nose, palate and finish brings this refreshing bottle a new home in the Library. It just may not last too long.

American Single Malts are starting to become a bit more popular amongst the whiskey community and I couldn't be happier. There just something special about the process and the flavors that come from distilling one grain. Sure, I'm a huge fan of just about every genre of whiskey, but aside from Jack Daniel's, my love started with both finished and unfinished Highland Scotch. A typical finish you find on many Single Malts is Sherry. Why you may ask? Well, the beautiful bright fruits tend to be put on display with a bit more emphasis when interacting with the single grain and the wood sugars. The profiles are hard to miss when lined up. A few drops of water tends to open these flavors a bit more as well. You'll always see that I include those drops when sipping these single malt expressions.

ASM is fairly new on the scene and is coming from my new home state, North Carolina. I love the NC whiskey scene and truly feel it needs its place in the limelight. Established in 2021 and already a decorated brand, there is an extra sense of pride when chatting with Founder, Luke Raymond. Browsing their WEBSITE should have the seasoned whiskey enthusiast chuckling a bit while playing the video, But on a more serious note, they drive the point home that this whiskey should "Tell A New Story", and that it does. While I'd be quick to start comparing this 3+ year expression to some 12 year bottles from overseas, I try to look at the bigger picture: This is a local distillery and the product is delicious. This is certainly a bottle I'd be thrilled to put in a blind lineup for visitors. Imagine the stories that could stem from those tastings.

I took the liberty of pairing this ASM Whiskey with a medium-bodied Macanudo Inspirado. Although I tend to fire up a bolder cigar with lower proof whiskey, this pairing was speaking to me upon first sip. The creamier tobacco and earthiness of the stick helped to accent the fruit tones even prior to adding those few drops of water. On the other side, the 84 proof proved to be a perfect companion to create a sense of creamy texture with each puff.

I want to thank Luke and ASM for the opportunity to try this with absolutely no strings attached. As always, I pride myself on being fair, honest and genuine when it comes to reviews and posts.

Library Rating: 8.3 / 10

RY3 16 Year Light Whiskey - Review

The Details

RY3 Whiskey

Light Whiskey

Single Barrel

Aged 16 Years

Cask Strength

Limited Edition

Batch: PR#008 / Bottle 104

Handcrafted, Blended and Bottled by

Phenomenal Spirits - Virginia Beach, Virginia

68.6 ABV / 137.2 Proof

Mashbill: Not Specified

Price: $95

Poured Neat in a Stölzle Nosing Glass

Appearance: Light Golden Amber

Nose: Caramel Coffee Cake, Vanilla Custard, Flakey Pastry

Palate: Creamy Caramel, Vanilla Pound Cake, Buttered Roll, Touch of Holiday Spice

Finish: Warm, Lingering and Viscous with a White Pepper Spice.

Overall: Have you ever been hugged so perfectly you just didn't want to be released? Well, the term "hug" in whiskey pertains to the warmth, linger and full experience on the palate. That's what is going on here. A full and embracing hug. The dessert-like sweet flavors are on full display here as well. The 137.2 Proof shouldn't be viewed as deterrent to any mid or lower proof fanatics out there. Give it a taste and see for yourself. I try not to use the phrase, "it doesn't drink its proof", but this is a clear example of why that phrase is such a cliché.

Some may not be well versed when it comes to Light Whiskey. What is it? What makes it Light? Is it a diet option? Well, a couple things to consider:

1) Distilled between 160 and 190 Proof, whereas Bourbon must be distilled below 160.

2) Must be aged in new and uncharred oak containers OR used oak containers, whereas Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak containers.

The flavors tend to come across as a "lighter" or sweeter tone due to the wood sugars and chemical reactions being mostly spent on those used barrels/containers. Also, Light Whiskey tends to carry a higher age statement most of the time because of the lack of reaction in these secondary or new uncharred containers/barrels.

Karthik & Matt, thank you kindly for getting this bottle to me to try. You guys are Phenomenal! As always, my reviews are always unbiased and couldn't be any more genuine.

Library Rating: 8.5 / 10

Heaven's Door Homesick Blues - Review

Stats

Heaven's Door

Homesick Blues

Minnesota Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

Bottled by Heaven's Door Spirits - Memphis, TN

Distilled in Minnesota

Aged 7 Years

122.7 Proof

Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 30% Wheat

Retail Price: $80

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Color: Amber / Dark Orange

Nose: Honey, Vanilla, Sweet Cream

Palate: Honey Bunches of Oats, Touch of Cinnamon and Cream

Finish: Warm, Smooth, Viscous and Lingering

Overall: It's no secret, I'm a Wheated Bourbon fannatic. They say the first step is admitting this. Heaven's Door comes through yet again with a delicious sipper called Homesick Blues. 7 Year Bourbon from...Minnesota? Yeah, you read that right. I'm loving the fact so many different bourbon sources across the country are starting to emerge. Distilled only about 150 miles from Bob Dylan's birthplace in Minnesota and also is home to some of the wildest climate fluctuations from season to season. We're talking -80F all the way to 110+F . Imagine what that's doing to the liquid in these barrels. Some incredible expansion and contraction happening here. The bourbon certainly picks up a ton of the oak influence and shows its sweet characteristics. Honey Bunches of Oats is the best way I can describe the flavors happening on my palate. A remarkable example showcasing the fact that not all bourbon needs to come from Kentucky.

Pre-Orders are going on now for this very limited release. You can check it out by clicking HERE.

Thank you again to the team at Heaven's Door for allowing me to sip and share my honest opinions of these new releases. Much love!

Library Rating: 8.4 / 10