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Arizona High Spirits Single Malt Mesquite Smoked

Arizona's only microdistillery

0 160

PReview by @PDD

4th Nov 2011

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  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Overall
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  • Brand: Arizona High Spirits
  • ABV: 40%

I've heard of Arizona High Spirits Distillery for some time now. Their claim to fame is "the world's only prickly pear flavored vodka". Well, my wife likes it....

Besides, I live in Arizona, so sampling a whiskey made right here in my home state is exiciting! AHSD has been marketing vodka and gin for the last 3 or 4 yrs, generating income while the whiskey sleeps and ages.... Vodka and gin pay the bills.

I must admit, I did have some trepidation when I ordered up this dram. On the one hand: "single malt mesquite smoked". Hmmm, that holds potential! An undiscovered smoke dimension waiting, unheralded? But, on the other hand, this is the very first experiment of a 3yo from the local prickly pear vodka guys....

Ok, on to it.

Nose: promising. That mesquite smokiness is almost Ardbeg-ish, very charcoal-y. Some burnt sugar and burnt grass too.

Palate: uh oh. Er, um, alright: this is terrible. White dog aged in an under-charred cask. Bland, like cheap Canadian whiskey, meaning grassy/antiseptic/EtOH burn. No, no, I have it: bland, like cheap aquavit (which my wife, gasp, also likes)

Finish: what finish...?

Sigh. Dissapointing. Surprisingly to me, this dram has received a couple positive reviews: "warming, inviting, glowing ember, very well done". Well, I suppose it's compelling to give positive reviews when you get a free bottle direct from the distiller.

Yes, this dram is only 3yo, but McCarthy's of Oregon is too, and it is much better. Maybe more time in a bourbon or PX butt will help. When the 10yo comes out in 7 years, I'll sample it too.

1 comments

@OCeallaigh
OCeallaigh commented

Do you know where somebody would be able to find a bottle of this in the greater Phoenix area? Or Sedona (I'll be up there in a few days)???

12 years ago 0

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