Corsair Quinoa Whiskey

Harsh. Not really tasty. Clearly different, but not in a good way.

When it comes to whiskey, different always intrigues me, and "Corsair Quinoa" is the epitome of different. Quinoa is a mild grain, so I suppose I shouldn"t be surprised that this is a very mild whiskey. The smell and taste of quinoa is clear on the nose and palate. There's a non-descript sweetness on the nose that partially carries over to the palate. I also picked up a slight note of spearmint. But identifying specific flavors was a challenge due to the overall muted nature of the whiskey. This certainly was not a case of the alcohol surpressing other flavors - that was muted too. Overall, this is a perfectly pleasant and highly inoffensive dram. But it's low key to the point of lacking character. Even if I'm in the mood for something "light", I prefer to have an additional dimension included, like a bit of fruitiness. Nevertheless, the intrigue continues after the tasting is done. What would this be like at a higher ABV, or cask strength? What would happen if it was aged longer, or finished in an interesting barrel? Would the quinoa get drowned out, or would it shine more? Perhaps I'll buy a bottle just to stare at it and contemplate...