Crazy Uncle Barrel-Aged Moonshine

During a recent visit to Whipper Snapper Distillery on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia, I sampled their Wheat and Quinoa whiskies, along with the Upshot, Upshot Cask Strength, and Red Corn Upshot before a cocktail class. Unfortunately, the tasting of the latter three was rushed. Fortunately, being a close neighbor to the distillery, I returned today for a more leisurely and thorough tasting flight. The standard offerings from Whipper Snapper include their ‘Crazy Uncle Moonshine’ (a new make white spirit), the Crazy Uncle Moonshine Barrel Aged, and then Upshot and Upshot Cask Strength. I also included the Upshot Red Corn in my tasting. This is the second item in the flight, representing the next step in the Whipper Snapper spirit progression. Nose: Clearly the same spirit as the unaged moonshine. A light, delicate corn sweetness is present, and the harsher ethanol/acetone notes have been toned down. There's a very subtle hint of vanilla and fresh oak. The ambient lighting and appealing liquid color make me think I detect a soft brown sugar note too. Palate: It has the same velvety texture as the new make, now with an added layer of sugary stickiness that adheres nicely. Fresh oak presents with a vibrant tannic spice, corn sugar sweetness, and a gently enveloping warmth. Hints of caramel and vanilla are also present. Finish: Medium to long. Offers a soft warmth with a toasty, nutty bite and a slightly lingering sticky sweetness. This is the first barrel-aged moonshine produced in Australia, aged in fresh American oak for a minimum of six weeks. I'm impressed by how only six weeks of barrel contact has transformed the moonshine into an easily drinkable, surprisingly complex spirit. It's perfect for sipping over ice or using in cocktails. It's approachable, has character, and avoids pretentious hipster trends. It delivers effectively and competently. While you won't find groundbreaking novelty or nuance here, you will enjoy it. If you're looking to introduce someone to spirits beyond white liquors, this is an excellent starting point.

This was the moonshine aged in new American white oak. Interestingly, it used virgin oak similar to bourbon, not ex-bourbon casks. With corn as an ingredient, it's almost like a bourbon in its base components but not its final taste. They mentioned distilling it 20 times up to 90%. This is also interesting, as I believed the limit for whiskey distillation was 3 to 4 times. It's almost vodka-like in this regard. I detected vanilla. It was pleasant, but I think, strangely, I preferred the original moonshine spirit.

Purchased this without sampling, a mistake. Tastes awful.