Mulholland American Whiskey

N: The nose is boozy but mellows with air. Beyond the ethanol, notes of orchard fruit, cherry, and cooked vegetable emerge. Sweet corn eventually appears with caramel and vanilla, suggesting a bourbon, but it's labeled "American whiskey." A shaving soap or cream scent is present, which I've encountered before in MGP spirits and find pleasant. Vanilla becomes more prominent as the pour sits. P: A quick hint of toffee precedes cinnamon candy. The cinnamon is more savory than spicy, with an underlying candy sweetness. Dark chocolate dust, caramel, and vanilla are present. A bit of that shaving cream note carries to the palate, which is fine and not soapy. The finish has some barrel bitterness and a touch of heat. Flavors are not highly distinct, with some oak, the shaving soap note, and perhaps cinnamon bark. The finish is medium length. This whiskey is stated to be produced in Indiana, aged in Kentucky, and finished in Ukiah, California. The finishing aspect is unclear, possibly referring to proof adjustment using local water, similar to their other products. It's branded as "The Spirit of L.A.", though Ukiah is far from Los Angeles. The connection seems to be through a part-owner and the name. The name originates from William Mulholland, who was instrumental in building the Los Angeles Aqueduct, enabling the city's growth. The water rights acquisition was controversial. The movie Chinatown loosely bases a character on Mulholland and the water wars, suggesting his role as an engineer. His name is linked to Los Angeles through landmarks like Mulholland Drive. Perhaps "Spirit of L.A." implies controversial water acquisition. The brand name might be a nod to Mulholland's legacy and the desire to bring spirits to LA. Unlike actual distilleries in LA, this brand lacks authenticity, which could be seen as a very LA characteristic. The whiskey is bottled at 100 proof with a mash bill of 94% corn, 4% rye, and 2% malted barley. Its classification as non-bourbon might be due to barrel reuse rather than new charred oak. The flavor profile suggests minimal char, with less oak and vanilla than typical bourbons. It appears young, likely 2 years or less in barrel. Taste-wise, it's acceptable, but the value is poor compared to cheaper options like Evan Williams BiB or Wild Turkey 101. Given it's likely young MGP stock with uncertain aging, it might appeal to some at $30, but not to me. _______

Remarkably smooth. Notes of lemon, honey, and herbs detected.

Corn with a kick. High proof