Liquid riot old port straight bourbon whiskey, Portland Maine

A sample from a neighbor who visits Maine offered this single malt. Details: Batch 10, Bottle 149, aged 2 years 3 months, 45% ABV. The description states they craft their spirit “with an American twist; American cherry wood smoked barley. This smoky spirit is aged in small oak barrels that previously held American bourbon. Surrounded by the salty sea air of Portland’s Old Port, this whiskey is American through and through.” It sounds appealing, reminiscent of Islay or Skye. However, its lack of age will be its drawback. It’s always enjoyable to try something distinctive, locally made, and representative of Americana. An initial impression of faint sea brine and stone fruit sweetness. With aeration, a medicinal, antiseptic quality emerges alongside black licorice. Later, hints of apricot and banana appear, accompanied by butterscotch sweetness. It feels light and watery upon entry, revealing a fleeting sweetness that quickly turns spicy and tingly. This sensation is purely textural, as the flavors are faint and elusive. Dominant tastes are earthy and mineral. Among other notes detected are cinnamon, pickled ginger, charred oak, caramel, and leather. Ultimately, the palate is left with oakiness, dryness, and a trace of caramel sweetness that vanishes quickly. Its youth is the limiting factor. The spirit lacked sufficient time in the cask to extract true flavor or develop a distinct identity. Perhaps weak casks also failed to impart much character to the distillate. While it shows promise, it currently feels unintegrated, immature, and lacking in depth of flavor. [80/100][Tasted: 11/1/19]

The maturity of this spirit was likely the first thing I noticed; it certainly seemed young. The flavor profile reminded me of a Speyside or Highland scotch; that's the only way I can describe it. It's drinkable, but not something I'd revisit. I live in Maine, we should just stick to our lobster!

This one is young. It has a very thin body, and all the flavors you detect disappear relatively quickly.

On the lighter side, full-bodied, with dominant vanilla and caramel flavors.