Branch & Barrel Distilling's Plumwood Whiskey Review (Batch 06)

 

Have you ever had Plumwood Whiskey? If you're not even sure what that is, don't worry. Essentially, it is a whiskey aged exclusively in casks made from Colorado plum tree wood. Plum tree wood = Plumwood.

 

Centennial Colorado’s Branch & Barrel Distilling, as far as I can tell, makes the only commercially available Plumwood Whiskey. When I reviewed Branch & Barrel’s Flagship Bourbon, I went into a ton of detail regarding their backstory, which I believe is fascinating and unlike most others I’ve come across (plus it is legit!). I won’t rehash the entire thing; you can read it for yourself here.

 

“Our Plumwood Whiskey is the certified OG. 15 some odd years ago, you could find our first runs of moonshine – cooked in turkey fryers and distilled in a 5-gallon hot water heater – aging in mason jars with charred tree branches. The best of those branches came from Colorado plum trees, and happened to produce a delicious aged spirit. This spirit convinced our owners to open this distillery, and we continue to make it to this day as an homage to their humble beginnings […] Take a walk on the wild side and try the truly one-of-a-kind expression that got us started.” – Branch & Barrel Distilling

 

Made from Branch & Barrel’s Bourbon mash of 80% corn and 20% malted barley, each batch consisted of only two barrels. The label proclaims it is colored and flavored with charred Plumwood. I’m unsure whether that means the whiskey simply drew color and flavor from the charred Plumwood, or whether additional color and flavor were added beyond the maturation cycle.

 

All Branch & Barrel whiskeys have an entry proof of 52% ABV (104°). That’s extremely unusual in today’s distilling environment. Generally speaking, it leads to a softer, more well-rounded texture. Because there is more water in each barrel, there is less interaction between the alcohol and the wood, resulting in sweeter profiles.

 

It seems each batch of Plumwood Whiskey is packaged at a different proof. I was provided Batch 06, which is bottled at 48% ABV (96°). I’m grateful to Branch & Barrel Distilling for providing me with a sample of Plumwood Whiskey in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and discover what it is all about!

 

• Whiskey Type: American Whiskey
• Distiller: Branch & Barrel Distilling
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 80% corn, 20% malted barley
• Cooperage: Plumwood casks (two barrels)
• Alcohol Content: 48% ABV (96°)
• Price per 750mL: $51.99
• Batch 06

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to sample this whiskey neat. Plumwood Whiskey possessed a gorgeous garnet-red color, and the liquid created a thin rim with fast, thick, tightly packed tears.

 

Nose: I let the whiskey rest in my glass for 15 minutes before I approached it further. When I finally brought the glass beneath my nostrils, I encountered an aroma of plums, cherries, smoke, chocolate, tobacco, and floral notes. It was inviting and funky at the same time. As I inhaled the vapor through my lips, I found barrel char and toasted bread.

 

Palate: The first sip revealed a creamy mouthfeel, with a palate-shocking note of smoked wood. It reminded me of peated Islay Scotch whisky, yet was not quite there. The next attempt offered notes of plums, black cherries, and red currants on the front of my palate. The middle suggested dark chocolate, torched wood, and a brief hint of pine needles. I tasted hazelnuts, pipe tobacco, and an earthy quality on the back.

 

Finish: Dark chocolate, dark stone fruits, hazelnuts, earth, and smoked wood remained, which was joined late by allspice. It was level, drying, and somewhat soft. The duration ran 1:47, making it on the longer side.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Plumwood Whiskey is one of the most obtuse whiskeys I’ve come across in a long time. It is simultaneously sweet, savory, smoky, and slightly bitter. It has an enchanting nose and a mesmerizing texture. The flavors will throw you for a loop, and I’m sure more have eluded my detection. Despite all of that chaos, it is an amazingly well-balanced pour that drank a handful of points below its stated proof.

 

Is this similar to what their backyard moonshine was? I’m assuming the latter was less mature. Yet I can also imagine its appeal – the plum tree’s wood adds a unique quality that draws attention. I wish I could have tried it. However, today’s rating is for what’s inside the Bottle, not what might have been, and, conveniently, that’s also my rating. 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.