Review: Bird Creek Single Malt Whiskey Baronesse & Full Pint
The Pacific Northwest is blossoming with American single malt whiskey production, in large part due to the region’s ability to grow barley. Portland’s Bird Creek Whiskey started operations in 2017 and has become a name that whiskey enthusiasts need to know. While the brand ages and bottles its whiskey in Portland, it contracts with an undisclosed distillery in American Canyon, California to distill.
Bird Creek Small Batch American Single Malt Whiskey Baronesse & Full Pint gets its odd name because it is the result of a 50/50 blend of single malts distilled from two different varieties of barley: Baronesse is a German variety bred for brewing beer with a Munich-style malting from Joseph’s Grainery in Colfax, Washington. Full Pint is a spring 2-row barley developed by Oregon State University. This particular grain hails from Madras, Oregon and is malted at Mecca Grade.
Bird Creek runs fermentation of the malted grain for an average of 4 days before distilling on a Forsyth pot still. Distillate hearts check in around 140 proof and enter the barrel at 112 to 115 proof. The single malts are aged in charred new oak barrels from Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage for at least 4 years and 9 months before blending. This release yielded 650 bottles and is bottled at 92 proof. The newest small batch offering is a blend of casks PB-2 19-84, 19-74, 19-62, and 19-56.
The early bird may get the worm, but does it also get good whiskey? Let’s discuss.
The nose immediately offers an unmistakable milk chocolate note followed by brown sugar. Yogurt-covered raisins and light chai tea conclude the nosing experience — it’s something I’d like to hold in my hands to sip on a cold winter night.
The palate opens with burnt brown sugar and bready Nilla Wafers. As the flavor advances, a slightly earthy and astringent black walnut note appears, but it is quickly met with juicy plum. Bird Creek provides a medium viscosity mouthfeel. Heading into the finish, honey, lemon zest, and black tea notes combine, leaving you with the sensation of a comforting, warming tea.
Bird Creek Whiskey has made big waves in recent spirits competitions, yet it still isn’t a household name with whiskey enthusiasts. For consumers interested in finding the next great small distiller, Bird Creek should be on that list. This is a single malt absolutely worthy of attention.
92 proof.
A- / $96 / birdcreekwhiskey.com
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