In the event you’re out exploring or snowboarding within the Jap Sierras and want a spot to quench your thirst, Shelter Distilling can have you coated. This craft distillery positioned in The Village at Mammoth within the shadow of Mammoth Mountain has been cranking out all the things from agave-based spirits to beer and canned cocktails for years with a give attention to innovation and distinctive elements. Extra just lately, a few of their choices have begun to see wider distribution past California. We acquired samples of two bourbons and a younger single malt. Ideas observe.
This evaluation was up to date in 2025 with an extra expression, Ridge Runner.
Shelter Distilling Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon Overview
One among 9 totally different whiskey choices within the Shelter portfolio, that is one thing of a flagship for the distillery. It’s a very small batch mix of solely 2 or 3 barrels and distilled from a four-grain mashbill of California blue corn, wheat, barley, and rye. Aged a minimum of one yr and non-chill filtered. The youth is ever-present on the nostril, which showcases huge, uncooked grain notes, a lacing of smoke, and undertones of latest tire rubber that fortunately dissipate with time to within the glass. The blue corn affords up a singular and interesting cereal component with notes of grilled peach, anise, and heat nuts. The palate is front-loaded with sweet corn and licorice earlier than a gently peppery midpalate units in, accented with baking spice. The end is heat, dry, and surprisingly inexperienced with contemporary mint and bell pepper. Fascinating and exhibiting promise however in all probability needing extra time within the barrel. 90 proof. B / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Shelter Distilling Single Barrel Blue Corn Bourbon Overview
The identical bourbon as above however drawn from a single barrel and aged twice as lengthy (a minimum of two years). The aroma is drastically totally different, infused with traditional barrel notes of toffee, baking spice, and butterscotch which, at first, utterly overwhelm the distinctive grain dimension seen within the youthful expression. With time to open a little bit of stone fruit arrives and a few nuttiness, however issues keep solidly within the wheelhouse of youthful, conventional bourbon. The palate affords up just a little extra nuance with early notes of weak black tea and ginger that give manner on the midpalate to butterscotch candies, wintergreen, and a few gentle astringency. The end is brief with notes of chocolate and peppery oak. It’s a neater sipper, however much less fascinating than the Small Batch. 92 proof. B / $70 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Shelter Distilling American Single Malt Whiskey Overview
The one single malt in Shelter’s whiskey secure, made with Colorado-grown malts which were double pot distilled, rested on Hungarian Oak chips, after which aged in American oak for a minimum of six months (in case you haven’t seen a theme, Shelter is pleased with their younger whiskeys). The aroma affords a well-balanced sweetness with notes of sunshine roasted malt, refined gingerbread, and a little bit of pipe smoke. It’s nice sufficient however clearly missing the depth of age. On the palate, high notes of ginger snaps and pie spice are nearly buttery earlier than evolving on the midpalate to tinned peaches and vanilla pudding. The end lingers with barrel char, stone fruit and heat spice. Missing some power and complexity, nevertheless it’s a nice and really drinkable single malt. I’d be curious to style this one with extra age on it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a transparent favourite of the three. 90 proof. B+ / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Shelter Distilling Single Barrel Ridge Runner Bourbon Overview
Single Barrel #22-0032 was double distilled on a Carl pot nonetheless from a mashbill of 62% Root Shoot non-GMO yellow corn, 19% Proximity white wheat malt, 14% Proximity pale malt, and 5% Proximity rye malt. Fermented for 3–5 days with USW-6 yeast in open-top stainless tanks, the whiskey was proofed to 100 earlier than getting into 53-gallon barrels with a #4 char for greater than 2 years, then regularly introduced right down to 94 proof in-barrel earlier than being bottled with out chill filtration.
The nostril begins with hay, adopted by butterscotch and vanilla frosting, with a late look of honeysuckle. The palate opens with uncooked bread dough and picks up a lightweight cinnamon notice and a contact of turmeric. The feel is thick and coats the tongue, with a taste profile that means cinnamon rolls with out icing. On the end, the doughy high quality offers option to one thing extra like a heat yeast roll, joined by black pepper and salted peanuts. The whiskey is pleasant, although its youth reveals clearly in each aroma and style. Nonetheless, the mashbill brings character and complexity that make this launch price revisiting after extra time within the barrel. 94 proof. –Jacob Kiper B / $50
Shelter Distilling American Single Malt Whiskey
USD50
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