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Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips & Whiskey

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9

Whiskey Review: Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips & Whiskey

We review Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips & Whiskey, a blended, cask strength organic whiskey with a 100% wheat mash bill.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
58.5% ABV. Mash bill: 100% Wheat. 117 Proof. Suggested Retail: 59.99 USD.
Appearance:
Burnished Copper.
Nose:
This whiskey has a strong, defined aroma of spicy vanilla. There are hints of nutmeg giving more definition to the overall scent.
Palate:
It opens with the creamy mouthfeel and rich taste of creme brulee. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg give nuance to the flavor as it opens. It’s a mouth-watering, spicy sweetness that never becomes sugary or cloying. It finishes with deeper tones of ripe banana and caramel.
Finish:
Comments:
This is a dessert whiskey, through and through, with a heavily gourmand flavor profile that feels smooth and creamy on the tongue. While that isn’t everyone’s preference, I found it to be an exceptional expression of the style. The use of wheat and blending creates a soft base that really lets the flavors come through with depth and clarity. It had the delicious profile of a finely spiced custard while never feeling sugary or heavy. Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey is an exciting find that I recommend seeking out while it’s still a hidden gem.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

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. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
We all love an upset win. Whether it’s Rocky Balboa lasting all 15 rounds against Apollo Creed, the film Rocky winning an academy award with a tiny budget, or Creed managing to be amazing despite being the fifth Rocky sequel, it’s easy to get behind an unlikely competitor claiming an unexpected victory. Part of it is the appeal of seeing an underdog succeed, but I think there’s something more to it. The greatest upsets change what we see as possible, and can open up fields to new styles, trends, and competitors.

For the past two years, the American Spirits Council of Tasters have awarded Whiskey of the Year to small, independent distillers. In an international competition with names like Heaven Hill, Bulleit, and Ardbeg on display, this is no small feat. In 2021, the prize went to Chattanooga Whiskey 91, and in 2022, it went to Journeyman Distillery’s Corsets, Whips & Whiskey, a blended whiskey made from 100% wheat. These are the kind of upsets that can change what we see as quality whiskey.

Whiskey made from 100% wheat is still a relative rarity. Most brands still rely primarily on corn, rye, or barley, depending on region and style. While wheat has been featured in many prominent mash bills, like Maker’s Mark and Pappy Van Winkle, 100% wheat whiskey has been seen mostly in craft distilleries. With the recent boom in craft whiskey, however, previously niche styles are also on the rise. A prominent expression earning awards recognition is the kind of thing that could push this style of whiskey into the mainstream.

Seeing the larger industry embrace fully wheat whiskeys would be an exciting prospect. Wheat is grown everywhere that whiskey is made, but there’s no dominant regional style currently associated with wheat whiskey. This means that there’s a significant opportunity for different distillers to start putting their mark on what feel and flavors we associate with wheat. For a crop like wheat, that is sensitive to terroir, seeing more regions experiment with distilling it should lead to a nuanced variety of new expressions.

Journeyman Distillery mentions the terroir of the organic Michigan wheat they use in their cask strength Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey. It’s a blended, organic whiskey with no age statement. It has a wild, suggestive branding, although the whiskey’s name refers to the products previously made at the factory that their distillery now occupies. It’s the kind of playfulness I’ve come to associate with craft distillers. If expressions like this can continue to win awards, that style may be taken much more seriously.

Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips & Whiskey review
We review Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips & Whiskey, a blended, cask strength organic whiskey with a 100% wheat mash bill. (image via Journeyman Distillery)

Tasting Notes: Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips & Whiskey

Vital Stats: 58.5% ABV. Mash bill: 100% Wheat. 117 Proof. Suggested Retail: 59.99 USD.

Appearance: Burnished Copper.

Nose: This whiskey has a strong, defined aroma of spicy vanilla. There are hints of nutmeg giving more definition to the overall scent.

Palate: It opens with the creamy mouthfeel and rich taste of creme brulee. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg give nuance to the flavor as it opens. It’s a mouth-watering, spicy sweetness that never becomes sugary or cloying. It finishes with deeper tones of ripe banana and caramel.

Taylor Shiells

Taylor is a writer, researcher, and whiskey enthusiast. He came to Portland in pursuit of higher education, and found himself staying to pursue the Pacific Northwest's wide range of olfactory offerings. He's a fan of craft beer, farm to table food, indie perfume, and, most of all, whiskey. While he provides technical research to the entertainment industry by day, the Whiskey Wash gives him the opportunity to explore his passion, hone his palate, and practice a more flavorful form of writing.

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