The process of making whiskey starts with the production of a clear spirit straight out of the still. Beginning with a pre-determined mixture of corn, rye and wheat, known as a mash bill (think “recipe”) the first spirit out of the still is called White Dog. The clear liquid, consisting of mostly alcohol, will have flavors brought from the different grains in the mash bill.
Spirit Hound Distillers Straight Malt Whisky (they use the non “E” spelling of Whiskey) starts out as White Dog, and it is so good, they bottle some of it before putting the rest into barrels for aging. The rye based liquor is sweet and smooth. My own tasting notes say, “delicious”. It is a great base to start with going into the barrel.
Spirit Hound Distillers had a rocky start thanks to Colorado’s ultra wet summer in 2013. Based in Lyons, Colorado, unprecedented flooding wreaked havoc on the distillery and the Front Range town. Lyons was isolated by the flooding of St. Vrain Creek in September, wiping out bridges, roads and homes and businesses.
The small distillery, with three feet of water in the building, was forced to rebuild after losing equipment and their two hand-built stills. After the flooding, they salvaged some of the whiskey, including barrel Number 1, that was put into the oak barrels the prior year before the catastrophic floods. The surviving barrels were bottled as “Flood-Proof Whisky” and sold after reopening the distillery in 2015.
Spirit Hound Distillers produce a 100% Malt Whiskey which is bottled by the barrel. What makes this so unique is the aging process is almost completely uncontrolled. In larger distilleries the Rikhouses, or warehouses where the oak barrels of whiskey are held while aging, often have some form of climate control.
While the Whiskey ages in the oak barrels, heat and humidity will affect the contents, infusing flavors and color. To maintain a similar taste between all of the different barrels of whiskey or bourbon, the distiller will try keep the barrels as evenly
Even in the controlled rickhouses, there are areas with the perfect temperature and humidity that are sweet spots, which consistently produce the best version of the liquor. At Spirit Hound, the rickhouse behind the distiller has no climate controls and is directly affected by Colorado’s climate from snowy, sub zero temperatures in the winter, to hot, dry days in the summer. This wide variation in climates through the years make every barrel of whiskey unique.
With variations from barrel to barrel, in the tasting room Spirit Hound provides tasting notes to describe the whiskey for each barrel currently being served.
WHISKY TASTING NOTES
Every barrel of whisky that we release is unique. The intent of the notes below is to help you navigate the complexities of our whisky so that you can choose one that best suits you. Everyone’s palate is different, however, so we do encourage you to try them all in a flight and pick a favorite for yourself.
Barrel # 196
Herbal, medicinal nose, with notes of sweet oak and fruity sherry. Charred oak and earthy malt compete with a cherry fruitiness on the palate, with a hint of smoke showing up on the back end. Finish lingers long with a note of spicy cinnamon.
Barrel # 197
Notes of canned pears, fresh oak, and cinnamon gum on the nose. Sweet oak up front on the palate, with a medium mouthfeel and a lemony, herbal back end. Finish is spicy and crisp, with a note of lemon oil lingering mid-tongue through the exhale.
Barrel # 198
Nose is bready and malty, with notes of sweet cinnamon and dried apricot. Barrel forward on the palate, with notes of vanilla, sweet oak, and allspice. Finishes with a smokey maple note and a bite of cinnamon on the middle of the tongue.
Barrel # 201
Nose is sweet, with notes of clover honey, pear, and vanilla. Mellow and rich, with a soft mouthfeel and flavors of marshmallow, sarsaparilla, and browned butter. Oaky finish, with lingering cinnamon notes mid-palate.
Spirit Hound Distillers Straight Malt Whisky isn’t the only amazing spirit the distillery produces. They are certified to create their own 5 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon, which is sweet and a little spicier than the malt whiskey. They also have an incredible double distilled gin that is smooth with lots of botanicals and light on the juniper flavor.
After surviving the floods of 2013, the distillery has continued to grow and is producing an excellent line of spirits. Take a trip to the tasting room for great spirits and hand crafted cocktails. Bottles can be purchased at the distillery and at Bevy’s Liquor World, Total Beverage and Daveco.
