Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Laws Whiskey House. 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.
Laws Whiskey House of Denver, Colorado is known for having a “grain to glass” approach to making whiskey. Their philosophy of “there are no shortcuts” is applied stringently to every batch they produce and blissfully tattooed on their founder’s arm. At Laws they are proud producers of homegrown whiskey with each of their expressions made with Colorado heirloom grains.
One of their newest releases, the Centennial Straight Wheat whiskey is no different. Founder and owner Alan Laws said, “We want to lead the charge on defining what wheat whiskey can be”.
This whiskey is one of the first ever Bottled in Bond wheat whiskeys in America. Bottled in Bond requires that the whiskey be the product of a single distiller using the grain of a single season. It must be aged for at least four years in a government bonded warehouse.
Including a straight wheat whiskey in their repertoire sets Laws Whiskey House apart from many craft distillers who focus on making bourbons and ryes. This distillery makes plenty of assiduous choices in their quest to produce the finest terroir-driven whiskey in America. They do not use commercially grown grains or appoint any individual as their Master Distiller. Their whiskey is made using only locally sourced heritage grains and the community-minded sentiment of, “it takes a village.”
The producer states, “We wouldn’t make a wheat whiskey if we hadn’t discovered Centennial, the heirloom spring varietal grown for us in the San Luis Valley. Unlike commercialized wheat grown nearly everywhere today, in the pre-industrial Centennial grain, we are able to distill and ferment a spectrum of diverse flavors. With a splash of water or an ice cube, Centennial Wheat is our unadulterated summer sipper.”
Tasting Notes: Laws Whiskey House Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey
Vital Stats: This whiskey is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV). The mash bill is 100% soft white centennial spring wheat. It is aged for a minimum of four years in new 53 gallon charred oak barrels.
Appearance: This has the distinct color of brass.
Nose: The nose is pleasantly warm and notably sweet with cotton candy and cinnamon sugar. There is a comforting aroma of freshly baked french bread topped with melted butter followed by honey and orange blossom.
Palate: This is decadent and rich, sweetly reminiscent of an Irish whiskey. The flavor notes of strawberries and cream play beautifully with the buttery mouthfeel and mid palate botanicals of jasmine and cardamom. A slight bitterness like the pith of a lemon accompanies an otherwise crisp and dry finish.