American Single Malt Whiskey

Blind Barrels XVI Best of the Best Blind Tasting Results

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Is it a Buy? Blind Barrels Release XVI “Best of the Best” Tasting! 🥃

Happy Friday, whiskey lovers! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into Blind Barrels Release XVI, aptly titled “The Best of the Best.” This curated box features standout picks from award-winning craft distilleries, and we’re putting our palates to the test to see if we can identify these mystery pours.

From a rare bourbon finished on local wood to a high-proof whiskey ranked in the Top 20 of 2025 by Whiskey Advocate, this flight is full of surprises! Are these regional gems worth the hunt? Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish of each mystery pour to decide: Is it a BUY?

🕵️ The Mystery Lineup (Revealed in Video!):

  • Sample A: A unique bourbon from the “Cherry Capital of the World,” finished on toasted cherry wood staves for a bright, floral profile.
  • Sample B: An “out of this world” 100-proof, four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon released to celebrate a total solar eclipse.
  • Sample C: A 115-proof American Single Malt from the ADI “Distillery of the Year,” aged for 7 years and rarely seen outside its home state.
  • Sample D: A powerhouse 125-proof Wheat Whiskey from Ohio, recently honored as one of the most prestigious spirits in the world for 2025.

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NOTE: We were not compensated by the spirit producers or Blind Barrels for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

‼️🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨‼️

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Producer: Casey Jones Distillery – Hopkinsville, KY
  • Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 4 years old
  • Mashbill: 75% Corn, 10% Wheat, 10% Rye, 5% Malted Barley (Mash Bill 4)
  • Size: 750ml

Mammoth Distilling Northern Bourbon – Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished on Toasted Cherry Wood Staves

  • Producer: Mammoth Distilling – Central Lake, MI
  • Proof: 95 (47.5% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 5 years old
  • Mashbill: 74.8% Wapsie Valley Corn, 21% Wheeler Rye, 4.2% Conlon Malted Barley
  • Size: 750ml

Middle West Spirits Cask Strength Straight Wheat Whiskey

  • Producer: Middle West Spirits – Columbus, OH
  • Proof: 125.2 (62.6% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 5 years old
  • Mashbill: 95% Ohio Soft Red Winter Wheat, 5% Two-Row Malted Barley
  • Size: 750ml

Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey – Cask Strength (375ml)

  • Producer: Southern Distilling Company – Statesville, NC
  • Proof: 115.2 (57.6% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 7 years old
  • Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Size: 375ml

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Is Single Malt the Future? Stranahan’s & Westward Review

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In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca explore the booming world of American Single Malt Whiskey. While we usually stick to bourbon, today we’re diving into two radical examples of how unique cask finishes—Sherry and Stout—can elevate 100% malted barley to a whole new level.

Whether you’re a scotch fan looking for American innovation or a bourbon lover curious about the “up and comer” of the industry, this tasting has something for you.

🥃 Featured Whiskies

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask (7-Year Age Statement)

A standout from Denver, Colorado, this expression takes Stranahan’s signature Rocky Mountain single malt and finishes it in 40-year-old Oloroso Sherry casks.

  • The Vibe: A “beautiful marriage” of barley and wine.
  • Awards: Bronze Medal at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
  • Tasting Notes: Invigorating nose of raisins and honey. The palate hits with a “kiss” of sherry that elevates the barley without overtaking it. Medium-to-long finish with buttery caramel and a hint of smoked cayenne.

Westward Stout Cask American Single Malt

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Westward uses a brewer’s mindset, double-distilling a wash made from local barley and finishing it in Stout beer casks from Pacific Northwest craft breweries.

  • The Vibe: Like a “stout beer bathed in single malt.”
  • Tasting Notes: Luscious, roasted nose of cocoa and hazelnut. The palate is creamy and uniquely effervescent—Wayne describes it as “beer carbonation” meeting rich malt.
  • Pro Tip: This was a standout from our Flaviar Advent Calendar!

What is your favorite American Single Malt? Let us know in the comments!

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Stranahan’s Sherry Cask

  • Classification: American Single Malt
  • Company: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
  • Distillery: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey (Denver)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years
  • Other: Finished in 40-year-old Sherry casks
  • Proof: 90
  • MSRP: $74.99
  • Purchased: 12/31/25 for $86.29 at High Spirits in Evansville IN

✴️ Westward Stout Cask American Single Malt

  • Classification: American Single Malt
  • Company: Westward Whiskey
  • Distillery: Westward Distillery (Portland, OR)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: Typically, 5 + 1
  • Proof: 92
  • MSRP: $89.95
  • Purchased: 12/12/25 for $66.30 at Flaviar Online

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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As of January 19, 2026, the American Single Malt (ASM) category has officially completed its first full year as a federally recognized standard of identity.

While distillers have been making single malt in the U.S. for decades, the one-year anniversary of the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) ruling marks a pivotal shift from a “grassroots movement” to a legally protected class of spirit, similar to Bourbon or Scotch.

The Milestone: One Year of Official Status

The final rule was published in late 2024 and became effective on January 19, 2025. This past year has focused on three major transitions:

  • Label Integrity: Distillers have begun transitioning their COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) filings to the new “American Single Malt Whisky” type, ensuring that the liquid in the bottle meets the strict 100% malted barley and “single distillery” requirements.
  • Global Competition: For the first year, U.S. producers have been able to export their spirits under a formal, government-backed definition, which is crucial for trade agreements and competing with Scotch and Irish whiskeys in international markets.
  • Retail Clarity: Over the last 12 months, major liquor retailers and bars have increasingly updated their menus and shelving to include dedicated “American Single Malt” sections, moving them away from the generic “American Whiskey” or “Other” categories.

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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