Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Whiskey is as competitive a field as it has ever been. We are currently seeing the most active distilleries, and a wider variety of expressions hitting shelves. You might expect that, in a crowded field, distillers would start having to work against each other to seize market share. For savvy distillers, however, the best approach to competition is collaboration.
Distilling whiskey, like any science, is built on the sharing of information. It’s a combination of techniques, recipes, and styles that distillers around the world have been iterating on for centuries. The knowledge of master distillers, built over time through the exchange of knowledge with peers, has led to a dramatic increase in the quality and variety of whiskey. Consequently, we’ve seen a boom in popularity that means that so many distilleries can share the shelves and still be successful.
While the collaborative spirit is alive in the sharing of knowledge, it’s still uncommon to see distillers actually collaborate on single expressions. That’s something a group of Colorado whiskey makers came together to rectify with today’s expression, the aptly named Colorado Distillers Collaboration Straight Wheat Whiskey. “I did find it strange that distilleries were not doing collaborative projects with other local distilleries,” says Sean Smiley in a press release on the project, “despite being a tight network that frequently meets and discusses strategies and recipes with each other.”
They built this whiskey as a collaborative effort from the ground up. 291 Colorado Whiskey, Bear Creek Distillery, Laws Whiskey House, Old Elk Distillery, State 38 Distilling, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery and Woody Creek Distillers all distilled new whiskey for this expression, using Centennial Wheat from Colorado Malting Company. After this, were then transferred to Laws Whiskey House in Denver to be married, barrelled, and aged for four years. The final product is a highly limited release, available only through these distilleries’ tasting rooms in Colorado.
Colorado businesses donated the wheat, barrels, bottles, and labels used to make this expression. All proceeds from these sales will go to a diverse group of Colorado charities. From top to bottom, it’s a celebration of Colorado’s distilling community – and an exhibition of what they can produce together. Moreover, it’s a reminder of the interconnected nature of distilling, and a sign that judicious collaboration advances whiskey as a whole, even in a competitive field.
Tasting Notes: Colorado Distillers Collaboration Straight Wheat Whiskey
Vital Stats: 50% ABV. Mash bill: 100% Centennial Wheat. 100 Proof. MSRP 74.99 USD.
Appearance: Chestnut
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Nose: There’s an exceptionally sweet nose. There’s a sugary lightness and pronounced flavor against the wheat body. At times I’m getting sweet tea, strawberry shortcake, and even hints of pink bubblegum.
Palate: There’s a light, slightly oily mouthfeel with a strong body of oak and wheat. This base opens up into flavors light red fruit and vanilla. Towards the tail end, it deepens into the richer notes of black tea and ripe banana. It finishes with the lingering sweetness of pink bubblegum.
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