Review: Dogfish Head Samba Amburana 4 Year Old American Single Malt

How Is Dogfish Head Samba Amburana Matured?

Like most things in the whiskey world, this American single malt whiskey has spent most of its time maturing in American white oak casks, they don’t state if they’re virgin oak, or previously used for other spirits. After that initial maturation has been completed, the whiskey is finished off in Amburana, or Brazilian oak casks. As mentioned in the review, you don’t get too much of those classic cinnamon notes that Amburana is famous for imparting to the whiskey. Instead, it just pops up at the end, allowing you to really experience a more delicate approach to what can be a newer but rather potent style of wood to mature any sort of alcoholic liquid in.

Who Will Enjoy Dogfish Head Samba Amburana?

As Dogfish is much more well known for being a brewery, this whiskey will appeal to anyone who is already a fan of the beer and perhaps has an interest in spirits, this is perfect for you and any want you may have to try something different from a producer that already lights your fire. Outside of this, the slightly unusual cask influence can get any whiskey fan quite focused on a product like this. You’re used to seeing the usual unspectacular ex-bourbon, sherry, and port cask maturation, but with the opening up of SWA regulations, as well as other types of whiskey regulations, experimental or new woods are par for the course now, albeit we don’t see Amburana popping up all that often.

Should You Buy It?

If you’re wanting to try something new and a little different, you should absolutely try and source a bottle of this for yourself. If the experimental side of it is making you a little cautious, then it makes sense to try and track down a sample from the supplier, or perhaps head out to a bar that stocks and to try it alongside one of Dogfish’s beers. Could be quite a fun evening!