Stranahan's Blue Peak

Rating: 16/23 Nose: Malty, sweet, ethanol. Hints of the barley and perhaps some faint sherry finish. This doesn't offer much complexity, but what it does have is very approachable and decadent, with some really nice boldness and fullness. Palate: This is smooth and easy-drinking, with just enough going on and some nice sweet character. I also detect some of that Westward yeasty funkiness. It doesn't taste particularly old, but it doesn't have a youthful alcohol flavor either. Flavor-wise, I get malt with caramel and yeast, though none of those are overwhelmingly bold. The nose suggests sherry (I'm thinking oloroso nuttiness and a clear cherry flavor). Overall, this has a nice balance of fruit and yeast with malt, in a way that reminds me of Westward. Finish: This is quite clean, but it does have malty flavors with some fruit and light floral character. The key aspect is that this is clean in the malty dimension. Without obstruction, some of the mature characteristics could develop into more standard flavors. I feel like that's an ambiguous statement, but I'm thinking the more I sip, the more my palate wears out. Honestly, I'm trying hard to be generous here. This is tasty, but young and struggling. - Conclusion - Side by side, Westward is more funky and nuanced. This is fruitier and more approachable, but also has more alcohol and less maturity. This is still nice, but it's an immature dram, so it doesn't compete with more mature spirits. Still, it's quite nice. Monkey Shoulder is fine, but it tastes more like alcohol. It also tastes more like alcohol. That's not good, but not damning. Monkey Shoulder (14/23) is clearly less mature than this, with more alcohol present. At the same time, this is struggling to reach the quality of Kavalan Distillery Select. At times, I think that this is not much better than the Monkey Shoulder, but this is definitely always better. This is at least a 15. There is not much evidence to suggest that it beats a 16 though. Kavalan Distillery Select #1 (16/23) is more mature and tannic than this is, but it's also a bit more aggressive. I'd prefer that over this. I think that this is being solidly placed in the 15 range. With more comparison with other impressions.... This is a 15 or 16, no question. I'm leaning 15. Still, a 16 is very plausible. OK, after much contemplation, I'm detecting some generic fruity elements with a high degree of failure. Whoa. This isn't that hard to anticipate, but it's hard to appreciate and doesn't work for enjoyment. Coming back to this for one final comparison, the buttery and yeasty richness really stands out. This is just so decadent and easy to sip. It's definitely not on par with Westward, but it's very competitive with the Kavalan. I could even believe that this is a 17, though I don't really think that it is. For $45, Stranahan's has released a shockingly good dram. In fact, there's a good chance that if I were selecting a daily single malt, I'd choose this. I think it's just across that line where it goes from sometimes not so appealing to always at least slightly appealing. Very nicely done.

This is a barley whisky – an American "single malt," meaning it's made from 100% malted barley at a single distillery. It's 86 proof, cost $47.99, and has no age statement. The color in the glass is like beer – yellow-brown. NOSE: This is the highlight of the whisky. Initially, I get a mix of fruits, which upon further smelling, I can identify as mango, pineapple, apple, a little orange, and finally a hint of chocolate. After the first taste, I also detected a distinct, unidentifiable grain scent. MOUTHFEEL: Surprisingly smooth for only 86 proof. TASTE: All I detected was honey butter and brine. FINISH: Sour! It tasted so bad I didn't even notice the length. SUMMARY: The first glass was okay, but as the bottle has been open, it's become progressively worse until I no longer like it. I won't purchase it again. RATING: On my personal scale, this rates a 3 (Mediocre). This is equivalent to 1.875 stars, 37.5/100, or 3.75/10.

Stranahan's Blue Peak single malt, created using the solera process, 43% ABV, acquired at Jackalope Liquors in Fruita, CO, in March 2023 (likely a 2022 bottling?). Tasting neat. Appears light copper in color with moderate legs coating the glass. The nose presents light cereal and floral notes, with vanilla and sweetness. The mouthfeel is dry and tannic from oak, overlaying sweet cereal oatmeal and tart grapes or apples. There's a touch of baking spice within that oaky dryness. The finish is characterized by smoky oak tannins, so dry it's almost puckering, yet with enough sweetness to stimulate saliva flow. In general, I'm impressed with Stranahan's higher-end single malt whiskies and their innovative approach. I also appreciate the packaging—both the bottle and label! There's something satisfying about a long-necked bottle of beer or whiskey. I'm not sure this quite matches their single barrel cask and wine barrel expressions—it's a bit rougher around the edges, but an ice cube smooths that out. It's very drinkable and provides something to consider while enjoying it. I plan to revisit this one.

A robust, American Single Malt Whiskey made with 100% malted barley, yeast, and pure Rocky Mountain water; aged for 4 years in new American oak with a #3 char before being bottled at 43% ABV. It begins with an aromatic bouquet of grains, wood, fruits, herbs, and spices; while its rich and creamy character adds notes of barley, dried apricot, baked apples, butterscotch, and brown sugar; culminating in a long and bold conclusion with notes of toasted oak, cayenne, nutmeg, cinnamon toast, hints of leather, and light tobacco.

Day No. 3 I had no idea Colorado produced whiskey! This is my first time tasting something from this region, diverging from the typical Kentucky and Tennessee sources. Regardless, it was quite good. The aroma conveyed honey and sweet fruits like pear and banana. The pear taste carried through, along with some apple. The initial semi-spicy kick subsided after the second sip. The fruit and oak flavors blended towards the finish, which lingered a bit. Not bad at all.

NOSE Malted grain, dried fruit from an orchard, banana chips, cocoa, vanilla cream, cream soda, and a hint of taffy sweetness. This scent is gentle, cozy, and sweet, making it very inviting. PALATE Dried orchard fruit, cocoa, banana chips, malted grain, vanilla cream, cream soda, spice, nuts, and oak. It's like a banana milkshake... an oaky one. FINISH Lasts a medium amount of time, with notes of banana chips, nuts, spice, and cocoa.