Wasmund's Single Malt

While I'm waiting around for this mysterious SDT Group to begin I have to open something to keep my thirst fully quenched. So why not open something local and hope for the best. This is Virginia's own Copper Fox distilled, Wasmund's Single Malt. It's named after the distillery's master distiller, Rick Wasmund. It's a single malt that appears to be continually aging while they pull casks every few months for bottling. My bottle has aged 18 months and cost a relatively affordable $45. The first thing I notice is the weird aromas wafting from the taster. Sweet and spicy wood notes, potpourri. There's an antiseptic vibe coming off it when you get in close. It's a bit offputting. I actually hope it tastes nothing like it smells. On the tongue, there's a good bit of cherry sweetness and a decent amount of smoke. Unfortunately, there's no balance to it. It's like there's 2 whiskies in your mouth simultaneously and as you swish it around in your mouth they separate and fight for dominance. I don't really like that at all. It also tastes and feels young (because it is) and a bit too light. The finish is pretty quick with that Luedens cherry cough drop flavor, borderline artificial, and a hint of the antiseptic bitterness. I'm glad it's over fast, for sure. Overall, it's too weird and abrasive for my tastes. Maybe it needs a full, scotch-length's age over 3 or more years to mellow it out. Something tells me those flavors may never calm down to a level I'd be happy with, though. So, it's a dud IMO. It's gonna take me awhile to finish this bottle off for sure. It looks like my trading partners may be getting another surprise sample from me, as well. Hahaha. Cheers. (J/k- I would never knowingly send out bad whisky)

I visited this distillery in Sperryville VA and left with a kit that include several bottles of this single malt unaged spirit and a 2L oak, charred cask. I "aged" the spirits in the cask for about 4 months over the fall and winter, which was probably a month too long. The result fit the descriptions on this page, except that mine was way too charred. But starting out as 124 proof, there was room to add a fair amount of water. I brought it down to 92 proof in the bottle and add a few drops more when I drink it. With the added water and given some time to breathe, I get a nice buttery nose with a lingering campfire note. It still is ashy on the palate, but in a nice way. There is a lot of burn through the finish. I've tasted down nearly a bottle now, and its either getting better or my taste buds are branching out in a new direction, because I'm really enjoying it. Time to get something else going in the cask.

I walked into my local store with no intention of buying anything, but rather looking to see what's new. He convinced me on giving this a try...and I quote him "it's one of the best American malts, if you're a fan of Highland or Speyside styles, you gotta give this a try". Either I got swindled, or his taste buds and mine are polar opposites. This isn't bad...it's just too young. The wood influences are too much to handle. The nose is a strong cleaner type, like Fantastic. The bleach version. The palette is worse. Like biting into a piece of wood. There's no finish. None. I'd be curious to see what this will be like a few years from now...but not sure I'd be willing to spend money for that curiosity.

Very mild and fruity. Strong oak smoke and applesauce nose. Not much finish.