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 Premium Straight Rye Whiskey. Made from 100% pumpernickel rye, this whiskey is milled, mashed, fermented, and distilled in house and then brought to proof with the distillery’s artisan limestone-filtered (not just for Kentucky Bourbon) water. The company identifies notes of vanilla, peppercorn, and wood with a taste of cinnamon, pepper, caramel, brown sugar, and oak. With that, we turn to the glass.
Tasting Notes: Dented Brick Premium Straight Rye Whiskey
Vital Stats: 100% pumpernickel rye; 45% abv.
Nose: Soft rye expression with hints of wood and alcohol. There isn’t too much to expect here; the lower alcohol content helps mute the nose. It’s approachable but subtle.
Taste: Watery mouth feel with a light tingling to the sides of the tongue. The flavor is peppery with hints of burnt sugar. There is a sweetness on the back end towards the start of the finish. On a second sip we find more smoke flavor like a low burning campfire. There is just a faint whisp of stone cherries and after a minute there is a cereal grain taste on the back of your mouth. The finish is medium length but it reinforces the oak and char notes.
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