Review: Whiskies of Single Cask Nation, Summer 2025 Releases

Indie bottler Single Cask Nation releases plenty of single malt Scotch expression, but as we’ve tasted over the years, they aren’t focused exclusively on the category. This summer, they launched three unique American whiskies, all of which are still available for purchase via their website as of this writing. We tasted ’em all. Thoughts follow.

Single Cask Nation Balcones Peated Single Malt 4 Years Old Review

This isn’t Single Cask Nation’s first Balcones release, but it is the first made from peated malt (reportedly from Scotland). It is aged just four short years in first fill ex-bourbon casks but shows the kind of impressive maturity only the brutal Texas climate can provide. On the nose, it’s a fun marriage of single malt traditions, at once showing the campfire smoke, lime zest, creosote, and even slight salinity of a peated Scotch with the barbecue sweetness of Balcones and that classic oak profile of barrel char and baking chocolate.

The palate is big and sweet and packed with flavor. Early, sugary notes of chocolate malt balls, peach rings, and candied grapefruit peel give way to tempering wood spice on the midpalate: RedHots and clove chewing gum with a fresh crack of black pepper. The peat influence is there but subdued compared to the aroma with a gentle undertone of smoldering wood. The finish is creamy and long with lemon curd, barbecue sauce, and melted chocolate chips. Great stuff. 132.6 proof. A / $85

Single Cask Nation New York Distilling Rye 10 Years Old Review

This is the oldest whiskey from New York Distilling that we’ve ever seen, and it probably will be for most people since it was pulled from some of the earliest casks laid down by the Brooklyn-based craft distiller. Those ten long years in new charred oak are evident from the jump with a burly aroma of cigar box, dried herbs, and pecan shells. As it opens, things coalesce into a potpourri of leather, mint, dried citrus, and subtle florals.

The aroma is somewhat restrained for such a mature, cask strength rye, but the palate brings the anticipated energy and warmth – and then some. Early notes of maple syrup and toasted pumpernickel transition to a candied, silky midpalate of sweet tea, cherry cordial, and cinnamon sugar. A late flourish of rye spice kicks off a long, warm finish accented by notes of nut-filled brownies, Chai spice, and whole cloves. A rye in its prime. 135.6 proof. A- / $100

Single Cask Nation Cedar Ridge Peated Single Malt 5 Years Old Review

Lately, we’ve experience Cedar Ridge’s single malts via their QuintEssential special releases. In addition to lots of elaborate cask finishing, that whiskey has been a blend of peated and unpeated single malt. This single cask, however, is all peated malt, aged for three years in ex-bourbon with a two-year finish in first-fill Sauternes. The nose is warm and well-baked with a big note of overcooked peach pie that’s both sweet and savory, showcasing elements of buttery, toasted crust, sugary stone fruit, and singed brown sugar.

The palate is high-toned, especially for a peated whiskey, with an initial lineup of lemon oil, almond torte, and vanilla cream that could almost be mistaken for an unpeated whisky. Those notes remain big and bright across the sip with that Sauternes cask really overpowering the peated malt right up until the finish where a bit of torched lemon peel and roasted nuts add a touch of subtle smoke to an airy, marshmallow-ey finish. Fun stuff. 122.8 proof. B+ / $80

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