Style: American Single Malt
Age: 6 – 11 years (4 – 7 years in new American oak barrels and 2 – 4 years in European Calvados barrels)
Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
Region: Denver, Colorado, USA
Founded in 2004, Stranahan’s is Colorado’s first micro-distillery and the first legal distillery since Prohibition. In 1988, founders Jess Garber, a volunteer firefighter, and George Stranahan, founder of Flying Dog Brewery and the whiskey‘s namesake, met while battling a fire at Stranahan’s barn. This chance encounter led to a lasting friendship that culminated in the creation of Stranahan’s, the Denver-based distillery credited with igniting the Colorado distilling craze and pioneering its own unique whiskey category: Rocky Mountain Whiskey.
Among their impressive portfolio of American single malts is the recently debuted Calvados Cask Finish Aspen Exclusive. Their flagship American single malt begins with 100% malted barley and pristine spring water sourced from Eldorado Springs. It is initially aged for four to seven years in new American white oak barrels. Following this, the whiskey undergoes a secondary maturation process in European Calvados casks previously used to age Calvados, a French apple brandy, for an additional two to four years.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, the influence of Calvados cask aging is apparent with notes of apple, pear, and baking spices, while softer hints of cinnamon and dandelion emerge after the whisky has aerated for a few seconds. The palate reveals flavors of clove, oak, honeyed sweetness, and caramel. While the ethanol’s heat surprisingly takes a secondary role, a few drops of distilled water in a dram help distinguish the notes of apple and pear, creating a smoother, well-balanced mouthfeel. The finish offers autumnal spices and caramelized sugar, lingering warmly to complement its fruity and oak-infused profile.
Final Thoughts
With each decadent sip of this exceptionally smooth American single malt, I find myself pondering how a whisky can be so gentle and delicious at such a high proof. Most spirits above the 80-proof mark are often overwhelmed by ethanol’s intense heat, drowning out delicate notes and aromas. Each time I reach for my own bottle of Aspen Exclusive Calvados Cask Single Malt, I can’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. While every dram is savored and rarely shared (except with the missus, to whom I owe this delicious bottle of whiskey), I won’t be tasting this whisky again unless I make the journey to Stranahan’s Aspen Lodge personally.
