Clyde May’s Whiskey Debuts Straight Bourbon, Cask Strength Bottlings

by Nino Kilgore-Marchetti
September 30, 2016

Clyde May’s Whiskey, which we first wrote about last year when the “Alabama-style” whiskey brand released a higher proof variant of its regular bottling, is back again with news of two new expressions. One is a straight bourbon and the other is a more limited edition, slightly older variant.

Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon and Clyde May’s Cask Strength are bottled at 92 proof and 117 proof, respectively. The former is five years old, while the Cask Strength release is 8 years old. Here’s more on what the folks behind Clyde May’s had to say of these two bottlings:

5-year, Non-Chill Filtered, 92-proof Straight Bourbon

Paying homage to Clyde May himself – a moonshine icon who made the best whiskey Alabama ever tasted – and his dedication to his craft, this non-chill filtered straight bourbon is a classic 5-year-old, easy drinking spirit.

Using simple and traditional ingredients, the bourbon mash is patiently aged in heavily “alligator” charred new American oak barrels to produce exceptional flavors that feature a soft, sweet nose of brown sugar, baked apricot, wild strawberry and nutmeg. Its soft palate delivers complex aromas of barrel spice, fruit and oiled leather, while the finishes are robust, long and delicious.

Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon recently earned a Gold Medal in the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and received a 93 rating in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. It is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a carefully crafted cocktail.

8-year, Cask Strength

This 8-year old whiskey is bottled at Cask Strength to release a full nose of citrus, peach and cedar. At 117 proof, the Cask Strength delivers layers of rich spice, apple and oak on the palate, and finishes with a lingering complexity of zesty orchard fruits and white pepper. A spirit this pure is best served with just one large piece of ice to help bring out its natural flavors without watering it down.

Much like when Clyde May distilled his renowned original moonshine, he did it in small quantities, and given the level of craftsmanship involved in creating Clyde May’s Cask Strength, only 3,000 bottles of this unique spirit were produced.

“Using a lot of great care and consideration, both the Straight Bourbon and the Cask Strength Whiskey stay true to Clyde May’s heritage and his craftsmanship,” said Ron Call, Clyde May’s Whiskey Master, in a prepared statement. “I’m delighted that these two carefully-crafted spirits deliver such great character and intensity, while being exceptionally smooth and appreciated by whiskey drinkers of all calibers.”