Stranahan's Bottled in Bond 11 Year
MSRP: $159.99
Mash: 100% malted barley
Proof: 100
Age: 11 years
Nose: crisp blackberry and banana cream pie, caramel, sweet oak, just a hint of leather, and some double bubble gum sweetness
Palate: this is a dessert for sure. The banana cream pie carries over to the palate with loads of that sweet oak, bubble gum and leather. It's all joined by tobacco, a hint of tropical fruit, creamed honey and fig
Finish: medium length finish with tobacco and oak
Rating: Buy it (Out of Hoard, Buy, Try, Pass)
Thoughts: This has opened up beautifully. It hasn't changed much from the fresh crack, but it has just deepened its complexity. I love the oily mouthfeel and how balanced this pour is. I honestly think they hit this one out of the park. It shows off how good American Single Malt can be, and it does so without any gimmicks. No high proof, no funny finishes, just good malt whiskey. I really wish this was about 30% cheaper, because the price is the only thing holding this back. That being said, it is a limited edition, the packaging is gorgeous, and this is so absolutely worth grabbing before they vanish. Maybe not two, but definitely get one.
What's the deal?: Stranahan's is Colorado's oldest legal distillery since prohibition, opening in 2004. They have a large amount of older stocks in the 10 to 14 year old range, so the 11 year age statement isn't as impressive as I feel like it could have been. That being said though, this is the oldest bottled in bond release of Colorado whiskey to date. More important than the age statement, is just how good it came together. Whatever they did during that distillation season, they did absolutely right. Being able to celebrate both America's 250th Anniversary and Colorado's 150th Anniversary with a bottling this special is an awesome statement. I hope Stranahan's continues to trend the way they have been lately.
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