Catoctin Creek American Malt Whisky - Port City Colossal X

Aroma: Wood-varnish burn. Spicy malt, leaning towards peppery. Cherry coke appears eventually. Palate: Abundant wood, consistent with the varnish noted on the aroma. It tastes like something from a small, new-oak barrel aged rapidly. More spice, but leaning towards cinnamon rather than pepper. A subtle hint of vanilla and brown sugar that intensifies as you drink. Medium mouthfeel. Finish: Quite brief. The spice subsides into a slight tartness. The sweetness transforms almost entirely into a woody flavor. Overall: Somewhat disappointing as I generally appreciate Catoctin Creek's creations, but experimentation doesn't always succeed. Scotch enthusiasts will find little they recognize in this whiskey, although it does bear resemblance to some other young American malts. I commend the distillery for attempting something unconventional, but I believe their Roundstone Rye Distiller's Edition offers superior value and quality, even when comparing different grain types. I struggled with the rating because it does mellow and improve after the bottle has been open for a few days, but the wood varnish taste is overwhelming.

Pleasant. The nose carries a barleywine aroma reminiscent of Port City's Colossal X beer, which makes sense as they supposedly share the same mash. It has a slightly sweet, wine-like flavor with a hint of oak, though not pronounced. The finish is young, rounded, and medium in length. Not quite the Roundstone Distiller’s Rye, but a solid American whiskey.

Light and fruity. Begins with a floral aroma and a crisp, fruity flavor reminiscent of peach, then concludes with a subtle beer-like taste.

Not my preference. The nose is light and floral. It tastes of fruity wine with some pepper that fades to wood.