Editor’s Note: These whiskeys were provided to us as review samples by WanderFolk Spirits. 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.
Oklahoma isn’t the first state that comes to mind when one thinks of popular whiskey production. Nestled in the shadows of the Kentucky whiskey world, Oklahoma had its own journey through the darkness of Prohibition. Now, WanderFolk Spirits and Same Old Moses is looking to put their name back on the whiskey map.
The lore surrounding Same Old Moses Saloon includes an epic story involving famous saloon-buster Carrie A. Nation, also known as “Hatchet Grannie,” known for attacking liquor-serving establishments with a hatchet. Founder Moses Weinberger invited Nation to the saloon to give a speech on temperance with the stipulation that she would not attempt to “break his bar” with her hatchet. The woman did not abide, and made quick work of swinging the axe, gouging a hole in the bar that became the spot patrons would put their empty mugs on for a refill.
The first bar in Oklahoma territory, Same Old Moses Saloon didn’t survive prohibition, but the name carried through the years and has found itself reborn in several expressions distilled by WanderFolk Spirits.
Formerly called Prairie Wolf, WanderFolk Spirits is located in downtown Guthrie, Oklahoma, and is the state’s first legal distillery. Specializing in different spirits, WanderFolk’s foray into whiskey with Same Old Moses provides several expressions that overall are very satisfying and different enough to hold their own among the world of craft distilleries.
In the early days of the pandemic, when most businesses were forced to shut down, Prairie Wolf (before becoming WanderFolk) produced over 10 million bottles of hand sanitizer for all fifty states. And as the economy began to open back up, the distillery opened under the new name of WanderFolk Spirits and shifted their focus back to creating the finest craft spirits in Oklahoma.
This includes Same Old Moses whiskey, and my tasting today includes four expressions of the brand’s whiskey. Of the whiskey, Derek Duty, WanderFolk Spirits’ general manager, says “We’re working with a south Texas distillery on the whiskey,” Duty says. “They’re contract distilling for us, but we’ll be sending Jeff (Cole) down there in December to start taking a more hands-on approach. We’re already using Oklahoma ingredients in the process, and we want people to know that the goal is to ultimately have Oklahoma spirits made in Guthrie with ingredients sourced in Oklahoma.”
This tasting includes the core Same Old Moses Double Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey, as well as three samples of other expressions: a double rye, an Amarone cask finish, and a sherry cask finish. These don’t seem to be available to consumers–yet.
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Tasting Notes: Same Old Moses Double Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Vital Stats: Utilizes four grains, double-barreled in American White Oak, aged four years. Mash bill of corn, malted barley, rye, and wheat. 50% ABV (100 Proof).
Appearance: Dark, rich amber.
Nose: Strong aroma of coffee and chocolate with a peppery note.
Palate: Thoroughly enjoyable. The use of four grains provides a profile that is unique to the whiskey. It’s mellow and warming, with notes of cinnamon and sugar that stand out like the filling in a cinnamon roll.
Score: 4/5
Tasting Notes: Same Old Moses Double Rye
Appearance: Copper
Nose: The scent of a barnyard, not unpleasant, but the nose has definite manure vibes, as well as a sweetness that eventually gives way to the scent of maple.
Palate: There’s a faux sweetness, like stevia, along with strong notes of the wood in the flavor profile. Ultimately, close your eyes and the combination of the nose and the palate provides the taste of a maple pecan latte.
Score: 3/5
Tasting Notes: Same Old Moses Rye Amarone
Appearance: Medium viscosity, clear.
Nose: Sun-baked wood, earthy, with sweet raisins.
Palate: There’s a nice heat to this expression. An effervescent feel, with notes of cola. This whiskey would be a wonderful answer to the traditional Jack and Coke, making it a Same Old Moses and Coke.
Score: 3.5/5
Tasting Notes: Same Old Moses Sherry Cask
Appearance: Dark copper, like the others.
Nose: Notably elevated from the others, the cask really shines in the nose. Cherry, wood, orange peel, and pumpkin pie spice stands out.
Palate: This rounded, full-bodied whiskey is pure autumnal joy. Notes of citrus complement the bread-like fullness that coats the palate. The best of the expressions; close your eyes and taste the flavors of fall!
Score: 4.5/5
Final Thoughts:
I received several expressions of Same Old Moses and each stood out from the other and offered something different and tasty. The whiskey is interesting, some better than the others, but overall WanderFolk Spirits with their Oklahoma perspective offers a different take on classic flavors.
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