Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey

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The West hasn’t had much to say for their production of the American Spirt. Colorado wants to change that with Stranahan’s. So, how’d it stand up? It’s a very interesting creation. I’ve always been a bourbon fan, and never too keen on Scotch. Stranahan’s seems to play the field somewhere between. It’s distilled from malt barley, like a Scotch, but the aging process (2 years) is just like a bourbon, bringing in some of the wood and smoke flavors but missing a lot of the sweetness.

If you’re a traditionalist, in the Scotch or  Bourbon arena, you might have some difficulties wrapping your palates around this presentation. However, if you like to bounce back and forth between the two, or on the fence with either one, give it a shot. For me, it is a good middle step in opening my taste buds up to the world of Scotch. Very enjoyable, and pushing the bounds of my familiarity.

Note: Each bottle is hand signed, numbered and contains a comment from head distiller Jake Norris about what he was doing at bottling time. Mine said he was “Listening to John Hartford.”

Straight

As I said above, if you're a traditionalist, you're probably not going to be too happy. However, as a bourbon drinker that just never quite grasped Scotch, I found it a good step in the direction of broadening my tastes. The malty Scotch flavors start the show, but are quickly knocked back by the more familiar (to me) woodsy, smokey flavors.

Mixed

The uniqueness that some will love is quickly brought back in check by a mixer. It still rides the line between bourbon and Scotch, but is much more subtle. If you try it straight and aren't too keen on it, a mixer will certainly bring it back into a much more familiar range.

Price: $62.99

Worthy: 7.5/10

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7 Responses to “Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey”

  1. Tweets that mention Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey « Whiskey is Good -- Topsy.com says:
    April 30, 2010 at 7:34 am

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by draketex, Whiskey is Good. Whiskey is Good said: This week's #whiskey review, @stranahans (new link): http://cl.ly/lyS #whiskeyisgood #whiskeyfriday [...]

  2. marshall says:
    May 3, 2010 at 7:27 am

    For that price tag, I am not going to spend my money on anything under an 8.5. Thanks for the warning. Maybe someone will get me some for my birthday.

  3. Marshall W says:
    May 12, 2010 at 2:22 am

    Now I definitely have to get a bottle. As a bourbon diehard but a scotch enthusiast I am intrigued by where you say it teeters on the fence between the two. You may not have done anything here but make me want to try it out even more. My wallet sends its thanks…

  4. Steve says:
    May 29, 2010 at 6:53 am

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by draketex, Whiskey is Good. Whiskey is Good said: This week’s #whiskey review, @stranahans (new link): http://cl.ly/lyS #whiskeyisgood #whiskeyfriday [...]

  5. Emily says:
    June 3, 2010 at 1:18 am

    For that price tag, I am not going to spend my money on anything under an 8.5. Thanks for the warning. Maybe someone will get me some for my birthday.

  6. Veronica says:
    July 8, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by draketex, Whiskey is Good. Whiskey is Good said: This week’s #whiskey review, @stranahans (new link): http://cl.ly/lyS #whiskeyisgood #whiskeyfriday [...]

  7. Whipper Snapper « Whiskey is Good says:
    August 2, 2010 at 12:43 am

    [...] far, the furthest west we’ve made it is Colorado (Stranahan’s). Now we’re heading all the way to the West Coast. Ransom’s new [...]

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