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.
With a historical tapestry dating back to 1857, Utah’s own, Dented Brick distillery in Salt Lake City, is a new distillery aiming to leave their mark on the landscape.
Founder and CEO Marc Christensen said, “When I set out to find the ideal land on which to build our distillery, I was armed with one critical piece of advice from an old moonshiner I had met in my travels and education in Kentucky: “It starts with the water!” We needed a property that had access to the best water we could find.
The search would end with a gift from heaven (and Mother Nature) — a property with an artesian well. The water flows clean and pure from the Wasatch Mountains, forming the perfect foundation for our spirits. We later learned that the land belonged to renowned distiller and entrepreneur Hugh Moon — a historic connection that made it all seem like fate. Hugh produced whiskey in Salt Lake City for the early Mormon pioneers in the 1850’s.”
The distillery Christensen references was originally created by Moon of Liverpool through Illinois. What’s more, Moon allegedly received direct permission from Brigham Young to distill in Salt Lake City. Dented Brick now sits on some of the property originally owned by Moon from 1856.
Dented Brick sits on an artesian well which is fed by snowmelt from the Wasatch Mountains. The well water is high in minerals, which the distillery believes adds to the unique flavor of their whiskey. Kentucky distilleries often attribute their flavors, in part, to the deep limestone deposits helping to filter their water.
The original well builder, as a historical note, was killed in a gunfight which left impressions in the bricks of his house. Some of those, “dented bricks” were incorporated into the new distillery building, hence the name.
Dented Brick is a craft distillery using local non-GMO grains in their products. This project has been a long time coming for Christiansen. He is extremely proud of being a “craft” distillery. His operation has an extensive line of whiskey and non-whiskeys alike, which isn’t all too uncommon. Whiskey takes time to develop, and a clear spirit can virtually be sold right off the still.
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This review will focus on Dented Brick’s Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey. Adhering to the 1897 Bottle-in-Bond Act, this whiskey is milled, mashed, fermented, and distilled with 100% unmalted rye grain. It is matured for a minimum of four years in a federally bonded rick house.
The tasting notes from the distillery highlight vanilla, peppercorn, and oak on the nose. A palate of cinnamon, clove pepper, caramel, and brown sugar with a long smoky and spicy finish. With that, we turn to the glass.
Tasting Notes: Dented Brick Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
Vital Stats: 100% unmalted rye grain; bottled-in-bond (at least 4-years old); bottled at 50% abv; SRP $59.99.
Nose: The nose is earthy and borders on rubbing alcohol at first blush. Allowing the glass to open we find winter wheat and rye notes. I don’t find much vanilla, but there is white sugar.
Palate: The palate is where this really open up. Cinnamon, maple syrup, pancakes, and honey. It evolves across the tongue into molasses, with a hint of smoke at the back end. The finish is where we find a bit of the dry rye notes and some smokey oak notes. There is just the faintest touch of alcohol at about the mid palate, but not so much as to detract from the overall flavor.
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