Editor’s Note: These whiskeys were provided to us as a review sample by Berkshire Mountain Distillers. 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.
Berkshire Mountain Distillers was founded in 2007 in Sheffield, Massachusetts. It was the first legal distillery in the Berkshires since Prohibition. They were a founding member of the craft distiller movement and have won numerous accolades. Berkshire Mountain Distillers (BMD) makes gin, rum, vodka, bourbon, and whiskey. All products are artisanal and made in small batches.
The craft brewers whiskey project is a “single-sourced craft brew distilled into a unique Berkshire Mountain Distillers whiskey.” Currently there are twelve whiskies in this American Whiskey Collection. Each brew makes a very unique whiskey. In this review we explore three of them.
The project started with Chris Weld, founder, experimenting with recently emptied beer barrels and filling them with whiskey for three months to soak up the flavors left behind by the beer. The result has been a huge success and the project has been expanding ever since.
Tasting Notes: American Whiskey Spencer Trappist Ale
Vital Stats: 86 proof. Whiskey is distilled from Spencer’s Trappist Ale.
Appearance: Deep copper in color.
Nose: Pine, cherry, oak, and nutmeg. It’s a little floral and herbal. Very pleasant, like fresh scones.
Palate: The palate is similar to the nose. It seems sweeter than a typical bourbon, yet a little bitter with hops. I get notes of stevia, cinnamon, burnt orange, and nutmeg. Floral aromas fill the mouth. It has a very strong and warming palate, yet it’s light and smooth.
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This has a very unique flavor profile to say the least. It starts sweet, gets a little warm, and finishes a bit bitter, like a beer wash. I think it you are a light beer lover, this would be a great whiskey for you.
Score: 3/5
Tasting Notes: Spencer American Whiskey Big Elm
Vital Stats: 86 proof. Whiskey is distilled from Big Elm’s 413 Farmhouse Ale.
Appearance: Amber in color.
Nose: It has a nice aroma and is very pleasant. I find notes of conifer, fresh juniper, aged plum, and eucalyptus.
Palate: I find it to be very woodsy, just like the nose. There are hints of ginger, fresh tree sap, and pine, and a bit of a tea tree tingle with a yeasty finish. I do get the beer notes in this more than in some other whiskeys that I have tried. It may have some sweet notes, but I would not say this is a sweet whiskey.
I feel that it is more of a beer drinker’s whiskey. A good one if you like wood flavors.
Score: 3/5
Tasting Notes: Spencer American Whiskey UFO White
Vital Stats: 86 proof. Whiskey is distilled from Massachusetts Bay Brewing Company’s UFO White.
Appearance: Old gold color.
Nose: This doesn’t have an aroma like any whiskey I’ve ever had before. It doesn’t even smell like a whiskey. It is very floral and pleasant like a rose garden. There are also notes of honeysuckle, honey, and graham cracker. It’s not hot at all.
Palate: The taste is much like the nose but even fruitier. There’s a slightly bitter finish after the floral and fruity start. It’s very light, sweet, and herbal.
I would almost think this was a gin if I didn’t see the label. I’ve never tasted anything like this. It is quite unique and would make a good summer whiskey. Now, I just need a warm summer day and a porch for sipping.
Score: 4.5/5
Final Thoughts: My favorite of the three was the UFO White. I felt it was very unique and memorable on the nose and palate. I’m a huge fan of craft brews and whiskey, so to combine the two seems like the best of both worlds. I’m sure Berkshire Mountain distillers has a flavor you’ll love as well.
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