American

Whiskey Review: Vikre Sugarbush Whiskey

We review Vikre Sugarbush Whiskey, a Minnesota craft whiskey aged in ex-port barrels and finished in ex-bourbon barrels previously used to age maple syrup.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Vikre is a very, very pale blonde color in the glass.
Nose:
Noticeably hot and chemical-y off the top, Vikre needs time to open. After a few minutes, Vikre’s off flavors make way for lemon meringue pie, band-aids, clotted cream, and candied citrus. Sour gummy worms, chlorine, lemon curd, and hot plastic follow. Lemon meringue pie sticks out as the scent leader.
Palate:
Vikre is obviously young; light on the palate and actually not that sweet. Sulphured apricots and unsweetened whipped cream appear on the palate first. Marmalade. After a few sips, the maple elements of the dram start to come out. Mid-palate is pleasing, but the edges are pretty rough. The finish is rather bitter and pithy. Although currently rather unbalanced on the palate, it is clear that Vikre had an interesting vision for this whiskey. Final Thoughts & Score/Buy A Bottle: Score: 75/100 Vikre clearly has a point of view, which I can appreciate for a craft American whiskey; they are trying to set themselves apart in a sea of mediocrity. I think that a little bit more time in the barrel can only do this dram good. It has a lot of potential, and I love Vikre’s commitment to local sourcing. Vikre Sugarbush Whiskey is a good start from what appears to be a stand-up operation!
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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