J.H. Cutter Whisky

Nose - remarkably sweet and rich. Clove and candied apricot are prominent, like the fresh rind on a glazed ham, with a touch of menthol and sarsaparilla adding an unusual complexity. It smells like a younger whisky, lacking significant oak influence. Taste - a complex array of flavors. It transitions from sweet to tart, then to an abundance of spices that don't seem harmoniously blended. The texture is buttery, almost syrupy. Malt powder, like chocolatey Ovaltine, is a dominant flavor. This bears a resemblance to a certain brand, but with a more pronounced spice cabinet at the end. Those who enjoy that particular standard offering might like this. Finish - concludes with a hint of sarsaparilla and develops into a slightly grassy, hay-like character. Overall - This bottling features too many disparate elements. The nose is intensely sweet, and the finish is somewhat 'barnyard-like' for my preference. The contents seem like an unmanaged infinity bottle, where individual components might be good, but the mixture is unfocused. The final product lacks refinement. That said, my expectations were modest given the price point. It's an interesting attempt that falls short.

First sip: I LOVE IT! All the elements I enjoy about both the Hotaling rye and Willet distillate. And then... Second sip: faded pretty quickly. The description that “the circus was barely in town” is quite accurate. Third sip: okay, okay, I enjoy it. I like the complex flavor profile because I enjoy Potrero and I enjoy Willet. It dissipates quickly on the back end, but if I were feeling enthusiastic and found this bottle at a reasonable price (@ $40 maximum) then I might consider it... perhaps.

Chaos is an apt description. If you appreciate a certain spirit, you'll likely enjoy this. If not, this probably isn't for you. The consistent descriptor that comes to mind when tasting this, or similar spirits, is 'young'. It possesses that raw, unaged, unrefined whiskey character, particularly on the finish.

The smell is dominated by orange peel and dried apricot. A slightly bitter spice of clove/allspice on the palate, and it feels quite thin and weak throughout. I would never have guessed it was over 40% ABV. It tries to be ambitious but lacks the depth a great whisky requires.

I sampled this at the Denver whisky extravaganza event. It was my top pick of the evening. It reminded me of Garrison brothers, which I really enjoy. Too bad Colorado is only receiving a few bottles.

Apricot, dried grape, and fruit notes are present, bringing to mind peach gummy rings. It's similarly quite fruity with apricot and caramel flavors. The finish is unremarkable.