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.
Sometimes I can’t find any information about a new whiskey, the company, or the owner, save for a few media blurbs. Sometimes, the owner is someone like Ray Walker. Mr. Walker is the creator and mastermind behind Saint Cloud and has an extensive history with alcohol. Mr. Walker started in wine with Maison Ilan, in the Burgundy region of France. His wines were extremely popular,
In 2016 Mr. Walker came back to the United States to try his hand at blending and creating whiskey. Mr. Walker states he is bringing his unique perspective and vision from making Grand Cru wines in France to making Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Hard facts about Saint Cloud can be difficult to ascertain and the bottle is the only place where a physical location, Sparta Kentucky, is mentioned. Saint Cloud is allegedly using a micro-scale production method, employing pot column hybrid stills with other modern accompaniments. However, they are also likely sourcing their bourbon from various Kentucky distilleries.
This is a very pretty product, and I mean that in the visual aesthetics of the bottle. It doesn’t necessarily tell you much about the whiskey inside the bottle, though. Readers, I have absolutely zero idea what to expect with this whiskey, and I want to be honest with you about that. Specific information about the distillery, mashbill, aging, or barrel char were not readily found by this reviewer.
What I know about this specific bottle from the brand website is, “100% Kentucky Straight bourbon delivered in a tidy 100 proof package. Singel Barrel and unfiltered. . . the tone here is a delicate aromatic signature combined with supple mouthfeel leading the way to a silky finish.” From the bottle I learned the whiskey was aged for a minimum of 7 years in new charred white oak barrels. The barrel name for this bottle was named, “Candy Corn,” and is bottle number 19.
I honestly have more questions about Saint Cloud now than I did when I started writing this article. Suffice to say I’m going to take as objective a stance as I can with the whiskey in the bottle, and if you want, you should too. With that, we turn to the glass.
Tasting Notes: Saint Cloud Single Barrel 100 Proof
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Vital Stats: ged for a minimum of 7 years in new charred white oak; single barrel “Candy Corn”; 100 proof/ABV 50%.
Appearance: Copper
Nose: Warm sense of alcohol comes off the glass, followed by dry peanut butter. There are some toasted notes as the glass warms in your hand. Alcohol is well muted but is present.
Taste: Bitter and dry in the mouth. It opens to roasted peanuts with an alcohol backend. The finish is cloying to the mouth and delivers bitter notes of alcohol before releasing creamy peanut butter to end. The finish is watery and doesn’t really hold for very long. Successive sips revealed some seasoned wood and light smoke, but those notes were very soft.
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