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Whiskey Review: Clyde May’s Alabama Style Special Reserve

We check out Clyde May's Alabama Style Special Reserve in this whiskey review, taking special note of the apple like characteristics of this spirit.

OVERALL RATING

  • Savannah Weinstock is a whiskey enthusiast and industry professional.
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Clyde May's

Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Nose:
, followed by a cacophony of scents running the spectrum from spiced fruit to rot. Apple juice, orange blossom water, and caramelized root vegetables give depth and warmth to the nose, while decay, sulphur, and a certain meatiness lend complexity. With a very sticky look in the glass, Clyde May’s long legs suggest high levels of residual sugar. What at first seems like an apple pie bomb breaks down into many disparate but friendly elements. First and foremost, butter, butter, and butter are present. Then comes toffee, peanut brittle, stewed apple and pear, baking spices, molasses, and spiced nuts. Rich, spiced, and creamy on the
Palate:
, Clyde May’s evokes holiday traditions of baked apples, eggnog, and fruitcake. The finish leaves that same apple pie bomb lingering on the palate, fading into pressed cider and leather. Conclusion: The apple flavoring in the whiskey proves to be the overwhelming flavor defining Clyde May’s. Whether Clyde May’s rocky history is a plus or a minus for this brand is up for discussion, but what I can say is that this whiskey would be perfect for swigging by the campfire or clandestinely dumping into holiday beverages. A whiskey as strange and Clyde May’s deserves an occasion, but maybe not routine. Score: 84/100 [SHOP FOR A BOTTLE OF ClYDE MAY’S ALABAMA STYLE SPECIAL RESERVE]
Finish:
Comments:

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Savannah Weinstock

Savannah Weinstock is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where her Environmental Studies thesis delved into the intersection of Scotch Whisky, sustainability, and the commodification of nature and culture. During her thesis research, she spent time living and studying in Glasgow, Scotland, visiting and interviewing distilleries across the country, with a particular focus on the Hebridean Isles. Savannah is currently immersed in the industry, gaining firsthand experience with whiskey, spirits, and cocktails on a daily basis.

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