High Spirits Mesquite Smoked Arizona Single Malt Whisky

I will conclude my American tasting with something special. An American single malt whisky. Yep, you read that right. Single. Malt. Whisky (no whiskey). It is produced in Arizona, near Flagstaff (the gateway to the Grand Canyon), by the High Spirits Distillery. They use two-row barley from Wisconsin, that is softly dried over a fire of mesquite, a desert brush plant that gives off a rather sweet scent. High Spirits produces vodka for years not, but this is their first whisky. It has matured for 3 years.

The nose is, to put it mildly, unusual. Perfumed and flowery. Grasses. Very sweet. Citrus, cinnamon and dandelion. The mesquite smoke translates into a light touch of charcoal. But the whole is very soft and reminds me a bit of geneva. Like I said, unusual.

It is fairly oily, but on the palate I immediately get the feeling again that I am sipping a geneva. Well, apart from that smokiness. I do not believe there is such a thing as smoky geneva, is there? Very sweet and smoky with a hint of oak that is all but subtle. Absolutely spirit. Grain and grass. Midpalate, it turns quite bitter. And still. It has something, well, unusual. I am repeating myself here.

The finish is the big flaw of this American single malt. Not only short, but it also allows the bitter oak to put its foot down much to heavily.

An unusual American, that much is clear. But not worth the effort at this time, for it is far too young and hence rough and bitter. Having said that, I do believe this could turn into a beautiful product, given a longer beauty sleep in the cask. The mesquite smokiness is unique and pleasant. Thanks for the sample, Ruben.