Editor’s Note: This whiskye 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.
In September of 2022, Rogue Ales & Spirits released a new custom bottle design to go along with the expansion of their Dead Guy Whiskey portfolio and its three new expressions that include Dead Guy Whiskey Stout Cask Finished, Dead Guy Whiskey Wine Cask Finished, and Dead Guy Whiskey American Single Malt. This release also marks the expansion of Rogue’s American Single Malt portfolio. Their flagship, Dead Guy Whiskey, was released in 2006 and today is made from a mash bill of 100% malted barley that is pot distilled on-site at Rogue’s Oregon coast distillery.
The Rogue Nation World Headquarters lies in the historic west coast town of Newport, Oregon. Established as a craft brewery in 1988, Rogue was founded by Jack Joyce, Bob Woodell, Rob Strasser and Jeff Shultz. Although Rogue’s first brewpub, located in Ashland, Oregon, was closed down due to flooding, it was not before the brand established several other Oregon-based pub houses in Newport, Astoria, and Portland. Some of these pubs include Rogue Bayfront Public House, Rogue Eastside Pub and Pilot Brewery, and Rogue Pier 39 Public House, to name a few.
Being that their distillery is located on the coast, Rogue is known for using what they call “ocean aging” in their spirits production, which essentially allows the whiskey to breathe the ocean air as it matures, infusing the final product with a “smooth, rich taste.”
“Fifteen years after we first bottled Dead Guy Whiskey, we are thrilled to expand our American Single Malt portfolio,” said Steven Garrett, VP of Business Development in a prepared statement. “As a leading producer of American Single Malt in the country, it is a wonderful time to add new expressions and double down on this emerging category that we’ve been working to perfect for almost two decades.”
Garrett’s mention of an ‘emerging category’ refers to the fact that American Single Malt whiskey is a standard of identity that is fairly new to the US trade industry. Along with multiple other American whiskey distillers, Rogue Ales & Spirits is officially recognized as a member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, which was established in 2016.
In addition to the Dead Guy Whiskey expression series, Rogue Ales & Spirits also has a Single Barrel Project which focuses on the unique barrels, made from their onsite cooperage, utilized in the production of their whiskey lineup.
This review will focus on Dead Guy American Single Malt Whiskey, which is essentially a rebranding of Rogue’s popular single malt 2006 release, Dead Guy Whiskey. Dead Guy American Single Malt Whiskey is a gluten free, blended malt whiskey that’s made from a 100% malted barley mash bill consisting of 2-Row, Munich, and C15 malts. It’s aged for at least 2 years in new American oak barrels created onsite at the distillery’s own cooperage. Rogue’s tasting notes describe this expression as “Fruity and bright, [that] settles with hints of dark cocoa, vanilla and molasses.”
Dead Guy American Single Malt Whiskey won Silver in the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Double Gold in the 2021 Sip Awards. It is available in limited quantities at liquor retailers and bars throughout Oregon, Washington, and California, and also at Rogue Ales & Spirits online shop.
Tasting Notes: Dead Guy American Single Malt Whiskey
Vital Stats: 100% malted barley, 80 proof (40% ABV).
Appearance: Rich golden honey.
Nose: The nose offers notes of grain, sea air, salt, and sweet hay with suggestions of honey raisin, citrus, buttery spice and oak.
Palate: Green tea and lemony notes give way to buttery brown sugar and sweet pepper along with touches of toasted cereal, golden raisins, and honey clove.