Editor’s Note: These whiskeys were provided to us as a review sample by High Bank Distillery. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Co-founder and Master Distiller of the High Bank Distillery, Adam Hines, walked a bit of a roundabout path to distilling. He launched his own design company after wanting to work for himself. His company worked with Zest Juice Co., and he hit it off with the founder’s husband, Jordan Helman. Together, they developed the idea for a craft distillery after deciding there was more potential than in craft brewing in the Ohio market. They also credit recent changes to Ohio law allowed for distilleries to be attached to restaurants and serve food (previously, distilleries could only offer limited tastings with no food and could only sell direct to consumers if they produced limited amounts). The distillery is fresh off winning best American craft whiskey and will be opening a second location this year.
Their “Midnight Cask” line up feature High Bank Distillery Whiskey War blended with Australian tawny port wine. According to the hand written note on the label, I’ll be reviewing batch #28 of the High Bank Distillery Midnight Cask and batch #1 of the High Bank Distillery Midnight Cask Barrel Proof, the latter of which was first released in January 2022 in a limited run that has since sold out. Future releases of the High Bank Distillery Midnight Cask Barrel Proof will have wider distribution throughout Ohio beginning in spring 2022.
Tasting Notes: High Bank Distillery Co. Midnight Cask
Vital Stats: Aged at least four years, 41% ABV, mash bill: 80% rye, SRP $44.99/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance: The High Bank Distillery Midnight Cask is a deep ruby mahogany bordering on dark orange, with a magenta undertone.
Nose: The nose is moderate in strength showing a plethora of fruity and toasty notes. There’s notes of baked cherries, fresh orange zest, cherry liqueur, daisy, and grilled pineapple. On the toasty side, I pick up golden toast, crème brulée, butterscotch, and a balsamic reduction.
Palate: It tastes like strongly of cherry cola with an alkaline and tannic feel to the finish. The texture is a bit strange due to the drying sensation of the tannins. There’s a note of black tea, burnt orange peel, and fresh black cherries to the finish. My preference is for this blended as a cocktail ingredient because the texture is a bit unpleasant, though it does smell lovely.
Rating: 2.5/5
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Tasting Notes: High Bank Distillery Midnight Cask Barrel Proof
Vital Stats: Aged at least four years, 51% ABV, mash bill: 80% rye, SRP $54.99/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance: This is a pale mahogany with red-orange undertones.
Nose: The High Bank Distillery Midnight Cask Barrel Proof offers intense fruit aromas on the nose. It smells of Luxardo cherries, dark chocolate, cola, yellow peach, and ripe pear. It offers a spicy sensation in the scent a bit like wasabi.
Palate: This tastes like charred toast, ripe pear, allspice, and clove. It seems sweeter than the regular strength, though I attribute that to the higher proof. There’s an impression of red cherries on the finish along with ripe pears. The burn of the alcohol is noticeable on the finish.
Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: Given the pleasant aromatics, I really wanted to love these. Unfortunately, the odd sensations on the palate, one too tannic and the other too harshly alcoholic, took away from the overall experience. I think these would both make excellent cocktail ingredients, particularly for sweeter options such as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
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