RoughStock Black Label 2009

RoughStock is distilled in Bozeman, Montana. It is one of many craft distilleries that have sprouted up in recent years. They make their whiskey in a column still. It is the first distillery in Montana in over 100 years. Their Black Label is marketed as a ‘Western Style’ whiskey. Well, Montana is a state of Cowboys, after all. This single cask yielded a whiskey at a strength of 59,8% ABV. Oh, lest I foget: this is a single malt!

Lovely nose on dried plants, caramel, toffee, unbaked bread, dark fruit, chocolate, burnt pine needles and salted butter. It takes some getting used to, but in the end, I quite like this. If you leave it to breathe for a while, it becomes more creamy and even a bit umami.

Very round and rich on the palate, but also quite spicy (ginger, cinnamon and loads of peppers!). After the sharp arrival it quickly quiets down and becomes soft and sweet. But the first sip is rather bitter, almost astringent, on toasted oak and pine needles. Then the fruit kicks in. Apples and oranges, but also dried pineapple. Burnt sugar, candied peel of blood oranges. Quite nice.

The finish is very long, dark and sweet. After two shots, you feel the need for a large glass of water.

Sturdy fellow. Not for boys, only cowboys. Around 80 EUR in my neck of the woods.