Hey hey everyone, it's time for the weekly dram. Gonna have to try and bring it all in off a single glass today as I am unable to handle *too* much whiskey, lest my gainz(bro) be for not.
The Apline Distillery flagship, a 100% Single Malt is aged 2 years in used White Oak barrels (a similar process to Scotch) then finished in a toasted French Oak barrel for roundness. It's a hell of a drinker that really jumps the fuck out of the glass with very boisterous flavors that I certainly was not expecting from a distillery I have pretty much no experience with, or have ever heard of for that matter.
Nose - Oak, toffee and dates fills the nasal passages and works it's way around your head like dancing clouds of smoke in a still air, recently subject to the wave of a distant hand. Caramel and barley comes not long after in very pronounced waves, that give way to a spicy burn that isn't all-too common with single malts.
Palette - HUGE flavors of vanilla, toffee and maple explode onto the taste buds, in almost a syrupy, warm, delightful way. Like eating pancakes on a Saturday morning, the sugary notes give head to a sort of tannin astringency, likely from the French Oak, that nearly tips to a wine, but stays distinctly malty.
Finish - A rush of spice and heat comes as I finish each sip, which lingers like a great wine, standing, defiantly, not wanting to part from the glass. The fight gives way to embrace as the heat slowly dissipates, but lasts for several minutes, leaving a creamy warmth all around.
Overall - I really liked this whiskey. I am a fan of American single malts (most Single Malts tbh) and this one was definitely a surprise. To be quite honest, I wasn't expecting much, as I'd never heard of the distillery until recently, and even then I'd never heard or read a review of their product. It really comes into it's own as a unique, sweet and spicy malt that I think could turn a lot of people on to trying more advanced flavors... Also, since Ylish and I have been getting really into D&D lately, with a name like "Traveler's Rest" I simply couldn't pass up the excuse to grab the bottle and do a themed shoot. There's two angles I really ended up liking a lot, so tell me which you prefer in the comments.
Thanks for reading, and drive safely out there. Love you all, cheers.
Artwork, Design, & Photography of Paydn Augustine
