Thousands and thousands flock to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, drawn by the majestic great thing about the Smoky Mountains and, for a lot of, the attractive world of moonshine distilleries. Discovering a pour is simple on this bustling city, with Sugarlands Distilling taking heart stage on “the strip” as a major vacation spot. Most who step inside are content material with their numerous moonshine choices. But, tucked away at the back of the present store, a secret awaits: Roaming Man Whiskey. This isn’t simply one other flavored spirit; it’s a reputable aged whiskey, crafted for the discerning palate.
Whereas Sugarlands is well known for making arguably the best moonshine round, their dedication extends to Roaming Man. Underneath the steerage of Grasp Distiller Greg Eidam, who has expertly run a 4500-gallon copper pot nonetheless for over ten years, this whiskey is steadily gaining recognition. Its latest 10-year aged rye launch is a testomony to their ambition and a powerful achievement for any small craft distillery. Amidst the pervasive moonshine tradition, a real whiskey expertise thrives. So, because the outdated music suggests, “Don’t let that Smoky Mountain smoke get in your eyes.” However ought to we embrace the chance to let this Smoky Mountain whiskey get in our glass? Let’s discover out!
Roaming Man Cask Energy Tennessee Straight Rye Assessment
Roaming Man Whiskey has at all times been launched in 375 ml bottles, however a big milestone arrived in late 2024: the debut of the primary 750 ml launch, Roaming Man Cask Energy Tennessee Straight Rye Batch 2024D11. This distinctive rye whiskey boasts a mashbill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley, fermented for seven days earlier than distillation.
The distillate, introduced off the nonetheless at a low 125-135 proof, then entered a various collection of barrels. This explicit batch options 44 twenty-five-gallon barrels and 21 fifty-three-gallon barrels. Sugarlands didn’t simply use totally different sizes; they employed a spread of medium toast ranges and #3, #4, and #5 barrel chars. Moreover, the staves for the 25-gallon barrels have been air-dried for 12 months, whereas the 53-gallon barrel staves obtained a powerful 24 months of air-drying.
A singular method to barrel entry proof was additionally taken, using a wide range of low proofs—90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and 120—leading to a median entry proof of 107.4. The smaller 25-gallon barrels matured for 4.8 to five.1 years, and the bigger 53-gallon barrels for five.85 years, bringing the typical maturation for the whole batch to five.15 years. This meticulous consideration to each variable—from quantity and char to entry proof—ensured that each single barrel in Batch 2024D11 was actually distinct.
The fragrant journey of this Roaming Man batch begins with a energetic mixture of granola and cherry, the place the pronounced character of cherry soda meets the deeper, medicinal sweetness of cherry cough syrup. Because the whiskey breathes, an essence of uncooked pecans and raisins drifts from the glass.
On the palate, the preliminary impression reveals the distinct flavors of dried apples and creamy vanilla pudding. This evolves into the midpalate, the place pie crust and unripe plums assert themselves, accompanied by an extremely wealthy and oily texture. The end culminates in a satisfying mixture of apple pie filling and refreshing peppermint. Lingering on the very finish are notes of floor ginger and crisp purple apple pores and skin.
I discovered this batch to be extremely pleasurable. Nonetheless, it presents with a shocking depth, ingesting as considerably extra strong than its 109.2 proof would possibly recommend. The noticeable alcohol heat does considerably detract from the in any other case fulfilling character. However, I’m genuinely excited to see Sugarlands launch this batch in a 750 ml bottle. Its complete profile makes it a wonderful selection for sipping neat, and it additionally excels as an excellent basis for rye-based cocktails. That is actually a worthwhile acquisition. 109.2 proof. B / $50
Roaming Man Particular Version Cask Energy Tennessee Whiskey Assessment
For a very long time, Roaming Man Whiskey was all about rye. However as 2024 drew to a detailed, Sugarlands unveiled an thrilling new chapter with Batch S7: their very first Tennessee whiskey.
This isn’t constituted of only one mashbill; it’s a considerate mix of two: one with 65% corn, 25% wheat, and 10% malted barley, and one other that includes 65% corn, 20% wheat, 10% rye, and 5% malted barley. And for these aware of Tennessee whiskey, Sugarlands takes a singular method to the Lincoln County Course of. As a substitute of extended contact in massive charcoal vats, their distillate instantly off the pot nonetheless is rapidly handed via a small quantity of sugar maple charcoal. This enables them to embrace the normal methodology with out stripping away the wealthy oils and character developed throughout distillation.
The inaugural Roaming Man Tennessee Whiskey batch consists of 13 twenty-five-gallon barrels from Kelvin Cooperage, all that includes a exact toast and a #3 char. Distilled to between 120 and 125 proof, it entered these barrels at a strategic 109.8 proof. The barrels matured for no less than 4 years and three months, with the oldest reaching 4 years and eight months, leading to a median age of 4 years and eight months for the batch.
The aroma begins with a tannic word of purple apple pores and skin, rapidly adopted by sweeter scents of butterscotch and cornbread with a honey drizzle. Because the whiskey opens, closely toasted marshmallows be part of with toasted wheat bread. On the palate, tangerines kicks issues off, together with burnt brown sugar. Because the tasting progresses, notes of closely toasted wheat bread be part of with a floral honeysuckle character. The end brings again some fruitiness with cherry that swiftly turns to cherry cola and the spice of black pepper.
Whereas legally a Tennessee whiskey, its temporary publicity to sugar maple charcoal leads this expression to drink extra like an ordinary bourbon. It actually presents candy notes, however the mouthfeel is extra strong and fewer candy than what’s sometimes related to a Tennessee whiskey. Regardless of being bottled at the next cask energy, this Tennessee whiskey presents noticeably much less ethanol sensation than the 750 ml bottle of rye, resulting in a extra fulfilling expertise. It is a high quality providing and value selecting up based mostly on its character, and for the truth that it’s the primary Roaming Man expression that isn’t rye whiskey. 115.2 proof. B+ / $35 (375 ml)
Roaming Man Straight Rye 10 Years Outdated Assessment
It is a true piece of Roaming Man historical past: a well-aged rye whiskey born from the very first 4 barrels ever crammed by Sugarlands. Its distinctive character comes from a mash invoice of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. These particular barrels—all 53-gallon, crafted by Kelvin Cooperage—characteristic a selected toast and a #3 char. The distillate, pulled from the nonetheless at a strong 120 to 125 proof, entered these foundational barrels at a exact 120.2 proof, setting the stage for its spectacular maturation. The unique 4 barrels crammed in 2015 have been bottled after experiencing 40 to 60% angel’s share loss.
Having spent a decade within the barrel, this rye instantly presents aromas of burnt brown sugar and cherry Jolly Ranchers sweet. Quickly after, the feeling of heat, bready cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting arrives, joined by a suggestion of espresso beans. The aroma is exceptionally satisfying, encouraging a second to completely respect the olfactory expertise earlier than tasting.
The palate delivers notes of cinnamon glaze and Ocean Spray Cran-Apple juice. On the midpalate, cloves add a welcome spicy contact, alongside a dense mouthfeel. The expertise concludes with preliminary notes of ginger, then transitions to dry impressions of black pepper and tobacco. Contemplating the 132.6 proof level, the burn is minimal.
Given its superior age, it’s comprehensible that that is the best whiskey up to now from Sugarlands’ Roaming Man line. Apart from Circle Metropolis Whiskey Firm’s 12-year cask energy rye launched late 2024, that is doubtless the second-best new-release rye I’ve encountered up to now 12 months. This whiskey is a stunner! 132.6 proof. A / $75 (375 ml)
Roaming Man Straight Rye 10 Years Outdated
USD75
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