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.
A bit of inside insight into writing whiskey reviews: producers often share extra bits of information with reviewers. These are often press releases, information about the creators, or bold statements of branding. Whether they’re extensive or threadbare, I’ve always appreciated the extra context. So, you can only imagine when a whiskey offers me an entire book to work off of.
Unabridged Volume 2 comes to us from Milam & Greene Whiskey. One of the namesakes, Heather Greene, is an experienced bartender, writer, and educator within the industry. She could host a flight of diverse spirits, give you a rundown on the production of each region they came from, and provide a food pairing for each dram. She could write the book on whiskey. And she did. And I got a copy with today’s expression.
Heather’s book, “Whisk(e)y Distilled”, calls itself a “populist guide to the water of life.” It’s a short, but surprisingly extensive rundown on the basics of whiskey. It covers the stages of production, the major distilling regions, and guides readers through how to effectively verbalize tasting notes. There’s even a rundown of glasses and cocktails.
In addition to being comprehensive, the book is approachable. Heather talks people through the early stages of whiskey appreciation, with a focus on cutting away some of the pretenses that put people off. She explains how tasting is a skill that you can develop. She asserts that region, age, and price aren’t definitive measures of quality. Reading this would make for a decent entry point into whiskey, and is a fun read besides.
Heather Greene is also the master blender behind today’s expression, Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 2. Much like her book, it covers a variety of styles. It mixes bourbon from column stills in Kentucky and bourbon from a pot still in Texas. Heavily evaporated older casks mix with younger casks. They aged across different climates and regions. Greene’s book celebrates the diversity to explore in whiskey – we’ll see if the whiskey that accompanies it is as easy to enjoy.
Tasting Notes: Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 2
Vital Stats: 58.8% ABV. Mash bill: Undisclosed. 117.6 Proof. MSRP 94.99 USD
Appearance: Tawny
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Nose: The nose is savory, with a feel of dry wood and grain. I can pick out pencil shavings, grass, and hay. When I can go deeper into the scent, I pick out hints of tart cherry.
Palate: As it first hits the tongue, I can pick out some richly sweet notes of stewed red fruit. It quickly deepens into darker tones of roasted grain, maple syrup, and bittersweet chocolate. The mouthfeel has a bit of weight but isn’t quite heavy. The burn feels low, given the proof, giving me plenty of time to linger on the flavors. When I eventually reach the finish, it is dark, bready, and sweet like honey on rye toast.
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