We've got a double header! This Atlanta, Georgia distillery is just starting to come of age and make a splash in the whiskey world. When my good friend Matt (@the_whiskey_fly) invited me out to his home state to pick barrels with him, I couldn't say no. We managed to assemble an epic picking team for the occasion. I'd like to thank Whit (@_whitskey_) for showing us a fantastic time. It was incredibly fun exploring a distillery that I had honestly never heard of before, and you might be in the same boat. Let this be your introduction.
ASW began distilling in 2016. Presently their master distiller Justin Manglitz and distiller Whit Hagemann are clearly having too (two?) much fun with their jobs. Regardless of personal perception, it's been a refreshing change of pace from the rest of the industry to follow along with their journey. You, my dear reader, have an incredibly unique opportunity to experience ASW distillate; make sure to follow @the_whiskey_fly on instagram for some more information on when these two barrels will be available for retail purchase from Shared Pour. Without further ado, let's get on with the whiskey.
Company on Label: ASW Distillery
Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 56% Corn, 14% Wheat Malt, 10% Rye Malt, 10% Munich Malt Barley, 7% Rauch Smoked Malt Barley, 3% Chocolate Rye Malt
Proof: 115.2°
Age: 5 years
Further identification: While ASW does house some sourced whiskey, this barrel was filled with all their own distillate; this was also a long term experiment for the distillery where they used a barrel which was spiral cut on the inside to increase surface area interactions
Company on Label: ASW Distillery
Whiskey Type: Rye Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 100% Malted Rye
Proof: 114.6°
Age: 4.5 years (2 years, 5 months in new oak & 2 years, 1 month in a port cask)
Further identification: This too is all ASW distillate and one of the first ever releases of this style of whiskey outside of the distillery shop; it is one of 4 barrels in this style in the ASW warehouse
Fiddler Soloist Spiral Cut Barrel Notes
Nose: Holy chocolate batman! It's thick and pervasive with sweet milk dud notes. Nosing further I find classic, level oak, demerara sugar tones and funky malt. Leathery funky textile tones soon sweep into the glass in an act that has never before been seen in whiskey. Gunpowder and cast iron notes produce an inquisitive, upturned eyebrow. Let's sip.
Coming back to the nose I find dank aromas the might turn up in an old horse barn. Brown sugar, maple bacon and black pepper are fun finds. Deep inhales show off the many intricacies of wood here. The empty glass smells of banana bread, toffee and an old knick knack store with handmade candles.
Palate: My my, that's a funky bunch of coconuts; particularly husky, this whiskey presents incredibly unique. Another sip shows off dark bread, cinnamon powder, leather and savory dried peach. Malted milk balls are the most dominant flavor here with subtle background tones of black coffee and heavily toasted wheat bread. My last sip highlights sawdust, ash, damp soil, and spent coffee grounds. This doesn't drink like anything you've had before, so be ready for that.
TL;DR: Incredibly unique, earthy breakfast funk
Port Finished Resurgens Rye Notes
Nose: Chocolate, malt and waffle cone jump out at me first on this. Deep inhales layer in vanilla bean, fig and almonds. All of this comes together to remind me of an ice cold Choco Taco. A swirl of the glass unleashed some of the barrel funk and rye spice that was lurking under this sweet factory. Raisin, yogurt, raspberry jam, and a hint of black pepper form a lovely, creamy nose-feel. The juicy red berries, chocolate and vanilla tones can't be understated here. Let's have a sip!
Returning my nose to the glass reveals more Summer berry trifle tones that make me smile. Patchouli aromas give off a deep, rich muskiness to this dram. The empty glass smells of nilla wafers, oiled wood and camping in a pine forest.
Palate: My first sip is an explosive medley of roasted chestnut, tobacco and smoked maple syrup. This is certainly an incredibly unique sip as I cock my head in curious exploration. Going back for another sip layers in the deep raisin, fig and milk dud candy. As I continue to explore this glass some of the funk from the start begins to fade away, leaving behind crème fraîche, caramel and hints of rye softened gently by many years in oak. My last sip shows off a hefty punch of funky grape skins, anise and allspice. Overall I'm impressed by the heavy funk all throughout this balanced by the youthful exuberance of a the old Maryland/Pennsylvania style of whiskey made in the modern era.
TL;DR: Choco taco nose, funkadelic milk dud palate
Rating: Two natural born winners, but the Resurgens Rye shines
That Resurgens rye barrel is a real treat through and through. I'd recommend the Soloist pick for folks who enjoy Chattanooga Whiskey, Maker's 46, and Old Elk Bourbon. Fans of A Midwinter Night's Dram and Joseph Magnus will find the Resurgens Rye to be up their alley. Shout out again to @the_whiskey_fly for inviting me and cheers to our picking team for putting in the work to find a winner:
& of course @mrs_fly958
Links to grab yours off Shared Pour: