Review #144: Stranahan’s Empire State Brandy Cask Finish

Review #144: Stranahan’s ASM Empire State Brandy Cask Finish

COST: $60 for 750mL bottle

AGE: NAS

MASH BILL: 100% malted barley

PROOF: 90

This is a distillery exclusive release from Stranahan’s: an American Single Malt finished in New York state Applejack brandy barrels. I picked this bottle up when I visited Denver in October last year. I’ve enjoyed sipping on this bottle and it made some of the most fantastic holiday cocktails! Whether it be a cinnamon, clove, and all spice infused Old Fashioned, or just mixing it with some eggnog and a cinnamon stick, it was a hit through the holidays. I actually had to start cutting my wife off when I started getting close to the end of the bottle realizing I still hadn’t reviewed it (luckily, I had some other apple brandy finished ASMs that I could use as well). So, let’s see how this well opened up bottle is!

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

APPEARANCE: Polished copper color (0.9); fat, quick legs, a little syrupy looking.

NOSE: Vanilla and caramel, fresh, crisp apple slices, and floral notes. The floral notes lean towards early summer honeysuckle. There’s a slight grain note that I get with ASMs, but I think if I didn’t know this was an ASM I hard pressed to picked up on it by the nose alone. I also get a slight white chocolate note.

PALATE: Medium mouthfeel and cooling sensation on the palate. A heavy hand drizzling honey on apple slices, a little oatmeal, bright caramel, and toasted malt. There’s a kinda fresh, brightness right at the swallow that makes me think of a blend of lemon zest and mint (I’ve poured “a little more” too many times and can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s bright and refreshing).

FINISH: Long, sweet finish with notes of buttery chardonnay and vanilla custard. A grain forward finish (a typical note I get with ASMs).

RATING: 6.1/10

VALUE: 6.0/10 (This is an attempt to take into account price, tasting rating, age, and proof. See my spreadsheet for more details.)

OVERALL: This does make great cocktails, but as far as a sipping whiskey, it’s just lacking depth and complexity. I also feel like the apple brandy finish is a bit weak compared to some other apple brandy (or Calvados) finished ASMs I’ve had (and I’m actually biased for apple brandy finished ASMs as I think they’re really great sippers). I think it’s mostly suffering from the proof; even 96 or 100 proof would go a long way. It’s pleasant and you do get all the right notes to make this enjoyable. I just think it could be a bit more robust.

1 | Disgusting | ...I've not subjected myself to this level

2 | Poor | Balcones Lineage

3 | Bad | High West Double Rye, Jefferson's Ocean 28

4 | Sub-par | Weller's SR, Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

5 | Good | Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, Green River Wheated

6 | Very Good | Blanton's, Holladay Bourbons, Eagle Rare

7 | Great | Baker's 7yr SiB, BBCo Origin High Wheat, 1792 BiB

8 | Excellent | Most ECBP batches, JD SiB BiB, High West MWND Act 11

9 | Incredible | Barrel Bourbon Batch T8ke, BBC DS #7, Four Roses OESQ

10 | Perfect | Found North Batch 08