Fiddler Unison Bourbon

Review from a publication dated Thursday, November 10, 2016. The details: The new Fiddler bourbon whiskey is part of a collection of "foraged" spirits intended to complement ASW's own distilled products. This means ASW sourced the whiskey from another distillery and modified it, primarily through cask aging and blending. This specific bottling was released on November 1st and is limited to only 450 bottles, equivalent to about two barrels. It is a high-wheat bourbon, with wheat constituting a significant portion of the mash bill—45 percent for this whiskey. Other notable wheated bourbons, such as Maker's Mark and Pappy Van Winkle, contain a much smaller percentage of wheat than ASW's offering. This Fiddler release is relatively young, having been "aged at least 18 months" in new American oak barrels, followed by finishing in quarter casks, according to ASW. The suggested retail price is approximately $35. Flavor profile: At 86 proof, Fiddler offers a remarkably smooth and balanced sipping experience for such a young bourbon. While suitable for cocktails, doing so would diminish the pleasant wheat character. The grain notes are prominent and lightly toasted—there's no heavy oak or dark brown sugar evident. Unlike a young corn whiskey that might suggest tortilla chips, this Fiddler wheat evokes graham crackers. A subtle hint of orange peel, clove, and nutmeg adds interest. Availability: Fiddler is best found at ASW Distillery, where tours are available and bottles can be purchased. Local liquor stores like Tower, Green's, and Decatur Package carry it in limited quantities. Expect another limited release before the holidays, though the specific finishing age and casks might differ from previous releases. ASW Distillery. 199 Armour Drive N.E. 404-590-2279. www.aswdistillery.com.

A whiskey exclusive to Georgia. I acquired one while visiting and regret not getting a standard wheat whiskey from ASW distilling. As I understand it, this is a wheat whiskey blended with a "Unison" of a 5-grain high malt (mostly malted barley) whiskey, meaning corn, rye, wheat, barley, and oats, with all except the corn being malted. In my opinion, malting all the grains and adding oats detracts from this bourbon's full potential. My experience with Scotch makes the high malt content agreeable; it actually imparts an oily texture often associated with smoothness. However, the oats, combined with extensive malting, contribute a funk reminiscent of Monkey Shoulder or Bruichladdich, a distinct damp barnyard wood note, and surprisingly, a muted nose that masks numerous flavors. The aroma presents damp wood, malt funk, dusty corn sweetness, light caramel, a subtle vanilla cream from the wheat, and a hint of milk chocolate that's hard to detect, along with a mild alcohol presence. The taste is oily and silky, with the malty character leading, followed by a slight tartness I attribute to the oats. Then, rye and wheat spice emerge mid-palate, fading rapidly into corn and wood sugar sweetness, mixed with a significant dose of vanilla cream (very similar to Weller) and even some charred oak notes at the conclusion. The finish is nearly medium, with charred oak being most prominent, receding into dryness where the vanilla cream, sugary sweetness, and a mix akin to Weller/Pappy with peaches and apricot can be discerned. This would score a 4.5 or 5 stars, and the wheated component could rival Pappy if the tartness and malty funk, which hold this whiskey back, were eliminated. Nevertheless, there's a great deal happening on the palate and finish, but the nose is quite unremarkable and uninspired.

This ASW Fiddler appears in a very dark amber glowing bottle. It comes from a local Georgia startup distillery aiming for market entry. Rumored to contain a mix of high wheat and high malt (various grains), the blending process supposedly inspires the name "fiddling". The aroma presents a strong sour mash scent, similar to Beam, with dark sugars and malt spices joining in harmoniously, creating a rather pleasing bouquet. Initially, there's a distinct wheated feel, reminiscent of Larceny at the start. The sugars are prominent and persist until the finish, where malty spices supplant the wheat. The noted nutmeg and a faint fruitiness dominate the latter part of the taste. Dark malt chocolate notes are noticeable but not overwhelming. A decent effort for a new brand, and an intriguing, fairly balanced, mixture, to put it mildly. Experienced bourbon drinkers will immediately recognize the absence of mature components, as none are present. I believe the blenders did a commendable job with the available product; this is all young spirit that, while offering a quite good profile, won't displace any well-aged selections. Similar to distilleries in Chattanooga that rely on Solera instead of aging, a good blending technique cannot compensate for years spent in a warehouse. I suspect malt enthusiasts will find more value in this bottle than wheat fans of Weller. Considering its price point in the low 30s, it's an intriguing enough drink to warrant seeking out, simply to experience a good, albeit young, blend. To your health!

I'm trying to appreciate this, but it seems it's not to my taste. At least I'm learning my preferences and what I distinctly dislike. Tasting it at the distillery impressed me, or so I thought. I've had the bottle for a few months and just opened it last week. I'm on my third small pour, and all I'm detecting is wheat, grass, and malt on my palate. The nose, however, is superb – sweet and light, with a tiny hint of grassiness. The finish strikes me as bitter due to the malt. It feels a bit young and not fully developed. I'm returning to the distillery twice this weekend for events and will explore their other offerings. Support local producers.

There's nothing wrong with this, but it's also not particularly exciting. It has caramel with a hint of spice and a minimal finish. Adding water actually helps quite a bit to open it up. I detect soapy notes (this isn't a negative, and I'm still searching for a better way to describe it, but some bourbons strike me this way; perhaps floral).

This whiskey exhibits a rich amber hue, surprisingly dark considering its presumed age, likely due to the high proportion of wheat whiskey used. The nose is sweet, with hints of dried fruit and light vanilla. It sips smoothly, lacking significant bite. It doesn't taste as grainy as one might expect. Overall, a commendable bourbon.