Strawberry rhubarb | Cranberry | Red currants | Black cherry | Rich oak | Fresh cut pine | Deep & rich

Fig | Black cherry | Cacao nibs | Dark brown sugar | Molasses | Espresso

Roasted malt | Dark chocolate | Leather | Barrel char

Distillery 291 has always embodied the spirit of innovation. Never content with the usual, while boldly pressing into new, unexplored territories with their whiskeys, has kept their releases exciting. They’ve maintained this spirit as they set off into the less explored territory of American single malts. This probably explains why they’ve described this release as having a flavor profile that will “disarm your ideas of single malt whiskey.”  

From the start, this American single malt’s proof is immediately evident. Compared to bourbon, there haven't been many barrel proof American single malts released, and as a result, many feel they are often criticized for being too light and their malty aspects overpower their other flavors. Surprisingly, upping the proof doesn’t have a similar result, and the sip’s maltiness, while present, is in direct accord with the whiskey’s other bold flavors.

The single malt starts with heavy-handed fruit notes that are big, deep, and robust - qualities not often used to describe American single malts. Likewise, the palate is equally as bold, as it comes off more as a barrel proof bourbon than a single malt. That’s not a bad thing and something I think many will enjoy. Its maltiness is still present and offers familiar bourbon notes of dark brown sugar, molasses, and espresso, against roasted malt, fig, and malty black cherry notes.

This American single malt falls into a comfortable zone of familiar and unique, but never quite unusual. There needs to be more American single malts like 291 E Colorado Whiskey Batch 13, and I hope Distillery 291 takes what they learned here and applies it to an ongoing release. American single malts would be better for it.