Rua American Single Malt Cask Strength

The name Rúa, meaning “red head" in Gaelic, is quite fitting for this American Single Malt from Great Wagon Road Distilling Co., as it possesses a very distinct red hue, although the standard release is typically a bit lighter. This specific batch is a special bottling aged for 5 years, unlike the usual 2 to 3. A friend generously shared it and left the bottle as a gift. He mentioned this particular batch was also matured in much smaller 5-gallon barrels rather than the typical 25. Great Wagon Road Distilling was founded in 2013 by Oliver "Ollie" Mulligan. The distillery's name honors The Great Wagon Road, a historic trail from Pennsylvania to Georgia used by early settlers and their wagons to traverse and colonize the southern states. This is a very hands-on craft distillery, and it's said that Ollie personally transports water from a spring on his property for distilling purposes. I suspect the person who bottled this batch recognized its exceptional quality and sampled it liberally, which would explain the handwritten "92%" ABV error on the label. On the nose, there are abundant notes of fruit, including apples, apricots, and sweet berry jam. The palate echoes these flavors with the addition of caramel, some barrel char, and leather. The finish offers baking spices, black pepper, and tart apple. This is among the finest American Single Malts I have personally encountered. It is definitely worth trying their standard release, even if it may not reach the same heights as this batch.

A special selection from Southern Spirits.

Mellow, damn good

Quite good.