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Review: NKD LDY Whiskey Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit

We review NKD LDY Whiskey Alternative. It's a non-alcoholic whiskey made by removing the ethanol from Kentucky whiskey.

OVERALL RATING

$34.99
  • Devon Lyon is a content creator and whiskey enthusiast.
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NKD LDY Whiskey Alternative (image via Devon Lyon)

Tasting Notes

About:

NAS. 0 Proof, < .4% ABV. 5 calories, and 1 gram of sugar per serving. Mash bill: Undisclosed, but reverse-distilled from “real” Kentucky whiskey. 750ML. SRP: $34.99
Appearance:
In the bottle, the color is rich auburn and hazelnut shell. Poured into my NEAT glass, the liquid retains a wonderful dark bronze mixed with lightly steeped black tea.
Nose:
The nose leads with a subtly sweet, apple sauce aroma, followed by a hint of caramel, and if you really search for it, some of the pepper you’ll eventually experience on the
Palate:
Sipped neat, I experienced a thin, soft opening that reminded me of a lightly brewed front porch tea mixed with apple juice. Fortunately, this underwhelming initial taste was quickly replaced by a surprisingly complex and peppery mid-palate to finish. Second, I mixed this as a whiskey replacement in a traditional Old Fashioned and shared the cocktail with my partner. We both agreed: the result was interesting and overall positive. The flavor of this product enhanced the ingredients of the cocktail, and the peppery finish helped it (barely) not get lost.
Finish:
Comments:
In the increasingly crowded “traditional” whiskey market, where many new products are minor tweaks or attention-grabbing gimmicks on the age-old craft of distilling, it is refreshing to see new entrants on the non-alcoholic spirit scene. NKD LDY’s approach to starting with real, distilled Kentucky bourbon and then making it their own unique product, should be applauded. Because this is not a whiskey, I am not giving it a numerical score. However, I believe if people give this product a chance, and accept it for what it is, they will open a whole new way to experience cocktails.

And as a parting note, when we made a second Old Fashioned using a 50/50 formula of this whiskey alternative mixed with a traditional whiskey, we were pleasantly surprised. Such a “cut” approach will allow you to safely enjoy a few more cocktails on a long night with friends. Cheers.

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.

Devon Lyon

Devon Lyon is a seasoned content creator, with two decades of experience producing videos and crafting compelling copy and scripts for clients worldwide. Despite his natural wanderlust, Devon's heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest. He is captivated by the region's thriving craft spirit scene, world-class wines, and ubiquitous breweries, making life on the "best" coast a delightful experience. Above all, Devon's passion lies in whiskey. In 2023, he played a pivotal role in launching the Rushlight Agency, a boutique marketing firm. In his leisure time, Devon enjoys mastering his Hasselblad medium format 501cm camera, fly fishing, snowshoeing, and embarking on international adventures with his partner and daughter.

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