All in all I’d say Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey (named for the 13-thousand-foot peak in Aspen) marries “approachability” and “complexity” without sacrificing one for the other – an admirable feat in itself.
The Stranahan’s Blue Peak is something they were working on when I toured the Stranahan’s Distillery a couple of years ago. Rob eluded to a new project and how they were looking at Soleras and some other experiments. I figured everything he was talking about would be for Snowflake releases, but I figured wrong. Blue […]
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The Stranahan’s Blue Peak is something they were working on when I toured the Stranahan’s Distillery a couple of years ago. Rob eluded to a new project and how they were looking at Soleras and some other experiments. I figured everything he was talking about would be for Snowflake releases, but I figured wrong.
Blue Peak is a new(ish) addition to the Stranahan’s core and joins the Original Stranahan’s and Sherry Cask Stranahan’s in the lineup. To make it they start with 4-year-old whiskey which then goes into one of their large oak foeders for “finishing”. Though, I guess it’s more accurate to say that happens in reverse. The matured and finished whiskey is bottled and then more 4-year-old single malt is added to the foeder… I think you get the idea.
Let’s get to drinkin’
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (American)
Region: Colorado, USA
Distiller: Stranahan’s
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak (#3), Solera Foeder
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 43%
Stranahan’s Blue Peak Price: $45*
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008
Del Bac Classic Single Malt
EYE
Amber honey
NOSE
Dried orchard fruit, malt, banana chips, vanilla cream, cocoa, cream soda and some taffy sweetness.
Soft, warm and sweet, it’s a very approachable aroma.
PALATE
Dried orchard fruit, cocoa, banana chips, oak, malt, vanilla cream, cream soda and some spice and nuts.
Kind of a banana milkshake thing going on… an oaky banana milkshake.
FINISH
Medium -> Banana chips, oak, nuts and some spice and cocoa.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good balance, medium body and a slightly oily feel.
Before we hit the wrap-up for the Blue Peak I have to take a second to say that I LOVE the new bottles with the flat back and round front. They’re the perfect whisky bottle. The new labeling is pretty great too. Their updated design direction all around just looks fantastic. Though when we turn our attention to the whiskey in the Blue Peak bottle I have to say… it’s good.
This is a fun, tasty, whiskey. It’s a touch banana heavy, but not in a cloying or chemically way and there’s a pleasant malty, slightly chocolaty, sweetness that builds as it opens and it brings the oak profile with it. It’s missing a bit of depth, a bit of richness to fully take it to the next level, but it’s close. If I officially gave out .25s, the Stranahan’s Blue Peak would a 3.75. Regardless, cocktails or neat, I’m going to enjoy drinking this one.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)
*Disclosure: The bottle for this American Single Malt review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
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