Review: 3 Whiskeys from Roaming Man, 2025 Releases

Millions flock to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, drawn by the majestic beauty of the Smoky Mountains and, for many, the enticing world of moonshine distilleries. Finding a pour is easy in this bustling town, with Sugarlands Distilling taking center stage on “the strip” as a prime destination. Most who step inside are content with their diverse moonshine offerings. Yet, tucked away in the back of the gift shop, a secret awaits: Roaming Man Whiskey. This isn’t just another flavored spirit; it’s a legitimate aged whiskey, crafted for the discerning palate.

While Sugarlands is celebrated for making arguably the finest moonshine around, their dedication extends to Roaming Man. Under the guidance of Master Distiller Greg Eidam, who has expertly run a 4500-gallon copper pot still for over ten years, this whiskey is steadily gaining recognition. Its recent 10-year aged rye release is a testament to their ambition and an impressive achievement for any small craft distillery. Amidst the pervasive moonshine culture, a genuine whiskey experience thrives. So, as the old song suggests, “Don’t let that Smoky Mountain smoke get in your eyes.” But should we embrace the opportunity to let this Smoky Mountain whiskey get in our glass? Let’s find out!

Roaming Man Cask Strength Tennessee Straight Rye Review

Roaming Man Whiskey has always been released in 375 ml bottles, but a significant milestone arrived in late 2024: the debut of the first 750 ml release, Roaming Man Cask Strength Tennessee Straight Rye Batch 2024D11. This exceptional rye whiskey boasts a mashbill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley, fermented for seven days before distillation.

The distillate, brought off the still at a low 125-135 proof, then entered a diverse selection of barrels. This particular batch features 44 twenty-five-gallon barrels and 21 fifty-three-gallon barrels. Sugarlands didn’t just use different sizes; they employed a range of medium toast levels and #3, #4, and #5 barrel chars. Furthermore, the staves for the 25-gallon barrels were air-dried for 12 months, while the 53-gallon barrel staves received an impressive 24 months of air-drying.

A unique approach to barrel entry proof was also taken, utilizing a variety of low proofs—90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and 120—resulting in an average entry proof of 107.4. The smaller 25-gallon barrels matured for 4.8 to 5.1 years, and the larger 53-gallon barrels for 5.85 years, bringing the average maturation for the entire batch to 5.15 years. This meticulous attention to every variable—from volume and char to entry proof—ensured that every single barrel in Batch 2024D11 was truly distinct.

The aromatic journey of this Roaming Man batch begins with a lively mix of granola and cherry, where the pronounced character of cherry soda meets the deeper, medicinal sweetness of cherry cough syrup. As the whiskey breathes, an essence of raw pecans and raisins drifts from the glass.

On the palate, the initial impression reveals the distinct flavors of dried apples and creamy vanilla pudding. This evolves into the midpalate, where pie crust and unripe plums assert themselves, accompanied by an incredibly rich and oily texture. The finish culminates in a pleasing combination of apple pie filling and refreshing peppermint. Lingering on the very end are notes of ground ginger and crisp red apple skin.

I found this batch to be highly pleasurable. However, it presents with a surprising intensity, drinking as significantly more robust than its 109.2 proof might suggest. The noticeable alcohol warmth does somewhat detract from the otherwise enjoyable character. Nevertheless, I’m genuinely excited to see Sugarlands release this batch in a 750 ml bottle. Its comprehensive profile makes it an excellent choice for sipping neat, and it also excels as a superb foundation for rye-based cocktails. This is certainly a worthwhile acquisition. 109.2 proof. B / $50

Roaming Man Special Edition Cask Strength Tennessee Whiskey Review

For a long time, Roaming Man Whiskey was all about rye. But as 2024 drew to a close, Sugarlands unveiled an exciting new chapter with Batch S7: their very first Tennessee whiskey.

This isn’t made from just one mashbill; it’s a thoughtful blend of two: one with 65% corn, 25% wheat, and 10% malted barley, and another featuring 65% corn, 20% wheat, 10% rye, and 5% malted barley. And for those familiar with Tennessee whiskey, Sugarlands takes a unique approach to the Lincoln County Process. Instead of prolonged contact in large charcoal vats, their distillate directly off the pot still is quickly passed through a small amount of sugar maple charcoal. This allows them to embrace the traditional method without stripping away the rich oils and character developed during distillation.

The inaugural Roaming Man Tennessee Whiskey batch consists of 13 twenty-five-gallon barrels from Kelvin Cooperage, all featuring a precise toast and a #3 char. Distilled to between 120 and 125 proof, it entered these barrels at a strategic 109.8 proof. The barrels matured for a minimum of 4 years and 3 months, with the oldest reaching 4 years and 8 months, resulting in an average age of 4 years and 8 months for the batch.

The aroma starts with a tannic note of red apple skin, quickly followed by sweeter scents of butterscotch and cornbread with a honey drizzle. As the whiskey opens, heavily toasted marshmallows join with toasted wheat bread. On the palate, tangerines kicks things off, along with burnt brown sugar. As the tasting progresses, notes of heavily toasted wheat bread join with a floral honeysuckle character. The finish brings back some fruitiness with cherry that swiftly turns to cherry cola and the spice of black pepper.

While legally a Tennessee whiskey, its brief exposure to sugar maple charcoal leads this expression to drink more like a standard bourbon. It certainly offers sweet notes, but the mouthfeel is more robust and less sweet than what’s typically associated with a Tennessee whiskey. Despite being bottled at a higher cask strength, this Tennessee whiskey presents noticeably less ethanol sensation than the 750 ml bottle of rye, leading to a more enjoyable experience. This is a quality offering and worth picking up based on its character, and for the fact that it’s the first Roaming Man expression that isn’t rye whiskey. 115.2 proof. B+ / $35 (375 ml)

Roaming Man Straight Rye 10 Years Old Review

This is a true piece of Roaming Man history: a well-aged rye whiskey born from the very first four barrels ever filled by Sugarlands. Its distinctive character comes from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. These special barrels—all 53-gallon, crafted by Kelvin Cooperage—feature a specific toast and a #3 char. The distillate, pulled from the still at a robust 120 to 125 proof, entered these foundational barrels at a precise 120.2 proof, setting the stage for its impressive maturation. The original four barrels filled in 2015 were bottled after experiencing 40 to 60% angel’s share loss.

Having spent a decade in the barrel, this rye immediately presents aromas of burnt brown sugar and cherry Jolly Ranchers candy. Soon after, the sensation of warm, bready cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting arrives, joined by a suggestion of coffee beans. The aroma is exceptionally satisfying, encouraging a moment to fully appreciate the olfactory experience before tasting.

The palate delivers notes of cinnamon glaze and Ocean Spray Cran-Apple juice. On the midpalate, cloves add a welcome spicy touch, alongside a dense mouthfeel. The experience concludes with initial notes of ginger, then transitions to dry impressions of black pepper and tobacco. Considering the 132.6 proof point, the burn is minimal.

Given its advanced age, it’s understandable that this is the finest whiskey to date from Sugarlands’ Roaming Man line. Aside from Circle City Whiskey Company’s 12-year cask strength rye released late 2024, this is likely the second-best new-release rye I’ve encountered in the past 12 months. This whiskey is a stunner! 132.6 proof. A / $75 (375 ml)

The post Review: 3 Whiskeys from Roaming Man, 2025 Releases appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.