Milled corn | Oak | Nectarine | Faint butterscotch | Ethanol

Grilled peaches | Peppercorn spice | Corn oil | Rye spice | Bitter orange rind | Charred oak

Burst of peppercorn spice | Hint of honey | Dry oak | Leather | Dry chewy heat

Star Trek Spirits has honored the 58 year old science fiction brand by releasing spirits that pay homage to drinks seen or inspired by the show. Launching in 2018, they made waves in 2022 with the release of their first two “Romulan Ales,” a vodka and a rye, both colored the traditional blue seen in the movies and bottled in the same design. For the follow-up release, Star Trek Spirits partnered with Stellum Spirits, of Barrell Bourbon fame. This time out, though, the blue coloring is gone, but the quality of whiskey is vastly improved, a tradeoff that could be debated endlessly amongst Star Trek fans. To make their latest release, Star Trek Spirits collaborated with Stellum Spirits, a sister company to Barrell Craft Spirits, which is known for Barrell Bourbon.

The whiskey’s 120 proof is evident from the moment you lift up the glass to the end as it pulls forward bold flavors, but not always in a balanced way. Milled corn, oak, and faint butterscotch blend with an intriguing nectarine scent and a bully of ethanol to kick things off. The midpoint is highlighted by in-your-face spice that joins grilled peaches, corn oil, and a bitter orange rind note. A burst of peppercorn spice kicks off the finish as dry oak and leather join in, forming a trio of dry, chewy heat that lingers. The sip, while full of interesting flavors, comes across as off-balanced, in part due to its proof. Star Trek lovers will be drawn to the unique bottle design from the Star Trek universe, but whiskey lovers will walk away underwhelmed by the contents inside.

The bottle in review is number 514.