We are big fans of small batch distillers. While often times expensive, these distillers produce some of the most unique and adventurous offerings. Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is no exception.
Stranahan’s, located in Denver, is a single malt whiskey. Only about 40 barrels of the whiskey are produced each week. The whiskey is made of 100% barley malt – similar to Scotch. But it then is aged in new, charred oak barrels – just like bourbon. The aging process is a mere two years – not something common for premium spirits.
The result is a unique and tasty product.
The color of Stranahan’s is bright with an almost golden orange hue to it. When you first open a bottle you’ll get an aroma of toffee and vanilla. The taste, however, is quite unique. There is a distinct smokiness to Stranahan’s combined with a sweetness and spiciness – a welcome combination that goes down slow, revealing the whiskey’s character. But what is most noticeable is the almost sticky and clinging sensation as the whiskey goes down. It’s almost chewy. Stranahan’s finishes nicely. Warm and long.
Our tasters felt that the best way to experience Stranahan’s was neat.
Overall, we appreciated the character and quality of Stranahan’s. Our tasters rated it from ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’. A bottle runs about $55, which is a bit stiff for a two-year old whiskey. But everyone agreed it was worth it to give the whiskey a try.