Review: World Whiskey Society Ducks Unlimited American Single Malt Shotgun Shell

First things first: This whiskey looks pretty wild. It comes in a metal tube made to look like a shotgun barrel. Unscrew and remove the top of the barrel, and you reveal the bottle of whiskey inside, which looks like a giant shotgun shell. It really is something to behold.

The whiskey is a collaboration between the World Whiskey Society and Ducks Unlimited, which describes itself as “the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands, and other waterfowl habitats.” I have to say, I find it a bit odd to celebrate waterfowl and their original habitat with a representation of a gun, but I don’t hunt. Fans of both hunting and single malt whiskey might want to seek out this distinctive trophy-bottle.

The single malt whiskey inside was distilled by Scissortail Distillery in Moore, Oklahoma. It was aged in charred oak barrels and bears no age statement. Let’s give it a try.

World Whiskey Society Ducks Unlimited American Single Malt Shotgun Shell Review

This is an unusual but enjoyable single malt. The whiskey opens with bold aromas of cedar wood and candied orange peel. With a bit of time, the nose shows additional complexity, including almond extract, cereal grains, ethanol, and a touch of anise.

Taking a sip, the palate shows similar notes. Lightly sweet orange peel and cedar come first, soon joined by almond extract and cereal grains. The flavors are in balance and play together nicely, and the finish is quite long as notes of orange peel, cedar, and cereal grain slowly fade.

I think the cedar note is going to determine whether or not people enjoy this whiskey. I rather liked it, but it is not a common whiskey flavor, and I could see how some might find it off-putting. For those who enjoy the note, this is a complex and enjoyable dram, and fans of American single malts should be sure to give it a try.

96 proof.

A- / $119 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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