Review: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Peated Cask

Stranahan’s Peated Cask is a distillery exclusive available only at its Denver location. It’s a straightforward single malt which completed its initial aging in virgin American Oak before finishing in various casks that previously held whiskey from Islay as well as local peated casks.

Specifically, the blend includes:

65% whiskey aged 6 to 12 years, finished in Islay casks
35% whiskey aged 8 to 11 years, finished in domestic peated whiskey casks

We got a sizeable sample to check out, so we did.

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Peated Cask Review

To kick things off, the nose here is quite mild. Those expecting a smoke bomb may be disappointed. Those uninterested in smoke-heavy experiences will likely find this wholly approachable. A fairly classic construction of malty cereal, toasted almond, and wet leather finds a rather gentle complement in the form of a beach bonfire smoke and a bit of salty seaweed. The smokiness grows stronger on the nose as it develops in the glass, but it never reaches the point where it becomes remotely overwhelming.

The palate hits with more sweetness than initially expected, that malt becoming almost cookie-like, with vanilla overtones and a vague hint of lemon peel. Enduring and chewy, the whiskey develops in glass to showcase elements of coconut and milk chocolate, infused just so with light layers of smoke, here more indistinct than the clearly maritime elements on the nose. Sweetness develops continuously over the course of the experience; by the end the smoke has nearly disappeared altogether, replaced with more touches of lemon and some light floral notes.

Fun stuff, and worth picking up if you visit one of Stranahan’s locations.

94 proof.

A- / $70

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