Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey: Mountain Angel 12-Yr & Sauternes Cask ASM Whiskey Reviews

 

Founded in Denver in 2004, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey was Colorado’s first legal post-Prohibition distillery. In 1998, George Stranahan’s barn caught fire. George was a long-time brewer. His neighbor, Jess Garber, was a volunteer firefighter who tried to save Stranahan’s barn from total destruction. When all was said and done, the two discovered a mutual love of whiskey and became the foundation for building the distillery.

 

Stranahan’s concentrates on producing American Single Malts and is one of the category’s pioneers. Stranahan’s uses water from Eldorado Springs near Boulder to proof all of its whiskeys.

 

Its first whiskey, Stranahan’s Original, was released in 2006, and its portfolio has grown to six expressions. It has an annual release, Snowflake. It has a cult-like following, with people literally camping overnight in the parking lot. I have a handful of friends who participate in this tradition and post on social media.

 

Today, we’re exploring two expressions: Mountain Angel 12-Year, which is the oldest expression Stranahan’s has released, and Aspen Exclusive Batch 2: Sauternes Cask Finish.

 

Before we #DrinkCurious, I’d like to thank Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey for providing me with samples of these whiskeys in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest reviews. Also, to avoid repetition, I’ve used a fresh Glencairn glass to sample each expression neat and allowed about 15 minutes for them to breathe.

 

Mountain Angel 12-Year

courtesy of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
• Age: 12 years
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: 53-gallon, new charred American oak barrels, then finished in Port wine casks
• Alcohol Content: 47.3% ABV (94.6°)
• Price per 750mL: $99.99

 

“Aged 12 years in new American Charred Oak barrels at high altitude, our Mountain Angel 12 Year has achieved a character comparable to a Scotch Whiskey more than twice its age.” – Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey

 

Stranahan’s selected a handful of casks, some of which lost 80% volume to the angels! After a dozen years, the whiskey was transferred to Port wine casks for an undisclosed period. This limited-edition offering is available at the Denver distillery, its Whiskey Lodge in Aspen, and select nationwide retailers.

 

Appearance: Mountain Angel 12 Year had a rusty appearance. It produced a massive rim that discharged cramped, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: While I was waiting for this whiskey to acclimate, my whiskey library was filled with the smell of ripe figs. Those remained when I began exploring the aroma; stewed peaches accompanied them, along with dried dates, molasses, and floral notes. Drawing the air into my mouth revealed strawberries and blueberries.  

 

Palate: I encountered a viscous texture that I immediately forgot about as blueberry pie filling slammed against my palate. Strawberries and blackberries joined it, completing this whiskey’s front. I tasted lemon zest, raspberries, and red currants mid-palate. Graham crackers, gingerbread, and older oak formed the back.

 

Finish: Blueberry pie filling, strawberry preserves, vanilla, and red currants dominated the finish. Oak and ginger spices strayed into the shadows. All of these notes meshed well. While a smidge warm, the duration ran 2:03, making it very long.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: This fruit bomb shocked me. It drank so much like a well-matured Port-finished Speyside Scotch. When Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey suggested it compares to a Scotch at least twice its age, I dismissed it as nothing more than marketing-speak. It isn’t. Without a doubt, Mountain Angel 12-Year is the best expression I’ve had out of this distillery. It is one of those whiskeys where the price is irrelevant; you really need a Bottle.

 

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Aspen Exclusive Batch 2: Sauternes Cask Finish

courtesy of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
• Age: 9 years
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: Five-barrel blend featuring first-fill Sauternes casks
• 1 Sauternes cask with 4-year primary aging, and a 6.5-year finish
• 4 Sauternes casks with 7-year primary aging, and a 2-year finish
• Alcohol Content: 47.3% ABV (94.6°)
• Price per 750mL: $139.99

 

Sauternes is a sweet, French white wine made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes impacted by Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot.

 

Sauternes Cask Finish is exclusively available at Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge in Aspen.

 

Appearance: This whiskey had a dull, brassy color. A medium rim formed widely spaced, fast, thick tears, followed by sticky, fat droplets.

 

Nose: The aroma included green tea, raspberries, yellow raisins, plums, and muted oak. I took the air in through my lips and was reminded of muted oak.

 

Palate: A thin, velvety mouthfeel introduced the front of my palate to molasses, caramel, and oak. As it moved to my mid-palate, I found blueberries, raspberries, and green tea. The back consisted of lychee fruit, chocolate, and leather.

 

Finish: Chocolate, lychee fruit, raspberries, blueberries, and oak remained. I also tasted ancient leather. It was a mild, even-keeled finish that lasted 1:46, making it long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I’ve had a handful of Sauturnes cask-finished whiskeys and generally found them enjoyable. I found Stranahan’s version tasty. It was well-balanced and grabbed my attention. It drank many points below its stated proof. However, at $140.00, it is costly. I get that this is a limited-edition, tasting room-exclusive item, but I can’t see myself laying down that amount of money on this whiskey, which is the only reason why it earns my Bar rating.   

 

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Final Thoughts: These two expressions from Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey are each unique in their own right. Both were fruity, but Mountain Angel 12 Year was in a class by itself. It was stunning, and, to be frank, completely overshadowed the Sauternes Cask Finish, and is one of the best unpeated American Single Malts I’ve run across. Swap the prices between the two, and both would have taken Bottle ratings. 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.