Stranahan's Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt

114.74 proof Aroma: pear and apple with maybe some plum and spice Taste: definitely apple cinnamon and pepper. Nice big smooth HUG

(#5) Fellow Distiller @WhiskeyLonghorn recently posted his top 5 Whiskeys of 2020 and I thought it was such a great idea that I'm stealing it. To qualify, a whiskey did not need to be new, just new to me in 2020...so there will be some tried and true staples mixed in with the new releases on my list. I was able to narrow my list of 14 possibilities to 7 fairly quickly, but going from 7 to 5 proved a little tougher. Honorable Mentions will make an appearance after Whiskey #1. I won't bore you with a full re-review of each, but will give an overall impression. Should you want to read the full review, you shouldn't have to scroll too deeply in my tastes to find them. So...without further ado, I present my Number 5 Whiskey of 2020... Stranahan's Single Barrel Cask Strength Barrel #15-757 @ 108.74 Proof (I'm going to assume the 15 in the barrel number is the year, putting this around 5 years old.) Ironically, if I hadn't decided to try this one, Stranahan's Blue Peak may very well have occupied the #5 spot. Heavy on the Fruit Notes, I compared this one to a Smoother, Unpeated Highland Park. Lots of Sweetness, Oak & Leather to go with the Fruit. This is one of the best American Single Malts I've had. Their Single Barrel Program is fairly new, but if you see this one, it comes highly recommended. 4.25

Poured in a Yeti cup with a sizable ice ball. Strong aromas of vanilla and cardamom. Flavor is assertively piquant with a sweet, sorghum finish.

Stranahan's Single Barrel Cask Strength Barrel #15-757 @ 108.74 Proof (I'm going to assume the 15 in the barrel number is the year, putting this around 5 years old.) After trying and liking the Stranahan's Blue Peak, I saw this one on sale for $50 and decided it was worth a chance... NOSE: Starts off rather simple and Fruit Forward (Pineapple, Pear, Apple, Kiwi) with Leather in the background. After a few minutes of air it becomes much more complex as the Leather moves more to the forefront and the Fruit notes are joined by a general Florality, Dry Barn Wood, Warm Oatmeal with a Strawberry Jam Swirl, and just a hint of Maple. NEAT: Substantial, Rich Mouthfeel leads to Heavy Fruit Sweetness on entry. Again, Pineapple, Pear, and Crisp Red Apple. My first thought is a Smoother Unpeated Highland Park. Mid-palate has Leather and a Slight Nuttiness with just a Hint of Tannins. Heavy Cherry on the Medium Length, Slightly Warming Finish. A nice Silky Coating of Kiwi, Cherry, Leather and Oak remains and increases in layers with each subsequent sip. SPLASH: A few drops of water and the nose gains a "Soapy" note and a Dry Pleasant Sweetness that I can almost, but not quite, place. The mild Tannic note that was present on the Palate is gone. The Fruit notes dominate the entire Palate and it becomes even sweeter. VERDICT: WOW. This is good. I can imagine that this would satisfy the sweetest of Sweet Tooths and still manage to appeal to Scotch, Bourbon, and Rye Lovers of all types. An American Whisky not dominated by Vanilla and Caramel, but equally sweet with notes of Tropical/Jammy/Syrupy Fruits? Sign me up every time.

Nose: Very floral, lots of toffee and cheese cake. Palate: Hit with many levels of sweet and floral flavors. Tons of toffee. A little lingering maltiness. Even with cask strength, the ethanol bite is very low. Finish: Moderate finish. Cheese cake on the very end of the finish.