Stranahan’s, located in Denver (USA) produces a strange spirit. They use 80% Colorado grown barley and 20% Rocky Mountains grown barley. Wait, that’s 100% barley! Exactly, just like Scotch. On the other hand it’s matured in charred new oak barrels, just like bourbon.

The Stranahan’s whiskey is only +/- 2 years old and is sold in batches composed of two to six barrels. As a consequence your specific bottle may be a little different than the one I’m about to taste.

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey (47%, OB 2010)

Nose: nice hints of ripe banana, syrup and vanilla. Great hints of red berries and melon. Actually, I think it’s closer to some rums than to most bourbons.  A bit of rye elements too. Some cocoa, tangerine and cinnamon. The light smoke / charcoal is noticeable as well. Smooth and highly seductive. Mouth: huge banana again (Pisang), and spices. Lots of vanilla and a bit of coconut. A bit of lime and eucalyptus. More oak than you wood expect after two years. Finish: quite short but nicely drying.

Well, I didn’t see this coming. Unlike any other American whiskey. You could think of Stranahan’s as a mix-up between bourbon and Scotch. It’s less sweet than bourbon, less complex than Scotch but overall very interesting, big and full of flavour. Recommended! Around
€ 75 (more than twice the USA price, but still interesting).

Score: 87/100