Some
real gems are spattered across the state if you’re willing to go off the beaten
path while visiting Kentucky. Recently, I took a trip to Tennessee for the Bourbon
Mafia’s 10th Anniversary gathering. While there, I fit in a quick
detour to Pembroke, Kentucky, to see the MB Roland Distillery.
Founded
in 2009 by Paul and Mary Beth
(MB) Tomaszewski, MB Roland bills itself as the state’s
first “grain to glass” craft distillery. It sits on a former Amish dairy farm near
Christian County Grain, where it sources its grains.
“The operation started out with Paul as the one and only full-time distiller in 2009. Since then our team has grown to more than 14 total employees, including MB coming over full time from her previous career. The one constant with us with both our production process and our location is that we love what we do and strive to make that come through in our products, the distillery, and our onsite events.” – MB Roland Distillery
The
distillery currently enjoys distribution in 15 states and the United Kingdom. It
makes a variety of whiskeys, moonshines, and an agave-based spirit called Kentucky Azul.
And, because I’m Whiskeyfellow, I’ll review one of those whiskeys.
MB
Roland is part of a mini distillery trail with two others: Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Old Glory Distilling Co in nearby Clarksville, Tennessee. I managed to
squeeze in enough time to visit each on this trip.
MB Roland’s Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey is based upon the idea of an American Single Malt but instead adds in white corn and rye. The mash is made from 63% malted barley, 21% white corn, and 16% rye. The distillate rested in new, #4 charred oak barrels for two years and is packaged at 54.9% ABV (109.8°). A 750ml set me back $64.95 at the distillery’s gift shop and is from Batch 12, which yielded 366 bottles. As a distillery usually is the most expensive place to purchase a bottle (it’s a marketing thing), you can probably find one for much less.
I
had a chance to taste this whiskey before I purchased it, which gives the
rating away. But let’s #DrinkCurious anyway as I crack open mine.
Appearance: I
sipped this whiskey neat from my Glencairn glass. Despite its young age, I was
taken aback by how dark the liquid was. It looked like black cherry. The thick
rim formed equally husky tears yet left fat droplets behind.
Nose: No blast
of alcohol hit me when I sniffed the vapor. Instead, I smelled cherries, cocoa,
nutmeg, and almonds. Notably missing was wood of any type. I found dark chocolate
and cherries when I drew the air into my mouth.
Palate: The
thick, creamy texture introduced my palate to roasted coffee, chocolate, and
almond. At the mid-palate, I tasted cherries, plums, and cocoa powder. The back
featured flavors of oak, clove, and smoke.
Finish: The
incredibly long finish consisted of cherries, barrel char, oak, dark chocolate,
and clove.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The
Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey drank way under its stated proof. I would have
questioned it if not but for the finish when the heat finally arrived. It wasn’t
overwhelming, but it was an attention-getter. The nose, the mouthfeel, the flavor
– there is nothing not to like. Is it a bit pricey? Yes, but I didn’t have buyer’s remorse,
and I don’t believe you will, either. Grab a Bottle; you won’t be
disappointed. Cheers!
My Simple, Easy-to-Understand
Rating System
- Bottle = Buy It
- Bar = Try It
- Bust = Leave It
Whiskeyfellow encourages
you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.
You may wish to edit... "The nose, the mouthfeel, the flavor – there is nothing to like." I am assuming you meant nothing NOT to like.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have been to MB, met Mary Beth, and love that place. Little "young" but they make good stuff.
Thank you so much! I've got it corrected. Wow that is a bonehead mistake!
Delete