After a latest go to to Stranahan’s for the discharge of their extremely sought-after Snowflake expression (overview quickly to come back) I occurred to ask founder Jess Graber a easy query, “Is Snowflake the discharge you’re most happy with?” After a second’s reflection Jess replied, “No, that may be The Osopher.”
Should you’re unfamiliar with Stranahan’s The Osopher, you’re not alone. I requested just a few people on the distillery about it earlier than I bought the complete story from Jason Levinson, who’s each the present Whiskey Educator for Proximo Spirits and Tour Information/Distiller for Stranahan’s. Jason shared with me that The Osopher is Stranahan’s most restricted expression up to now, with solely 450 bottles produced – all of which offered out in lower than 72 hours. He then directed me to their web site for the story behind why it’s one among Jess Graber’s private favorites.
The location reads:
To have fun their shared historical past and commemorate their founder George Stranahan, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey and Flying Canine Brewery created two new specialty merchandise for what they name The Osopher venture. Having collaborated through the years to share beer mash and barrels, The Osopher venture marks the primary joint product launch for the 2 corporations.
For this launch, utilizing three of Stranahan’s 10-year-old whiskey barrels, Flying Canine has brewed The Osopher, an imperial model of Highway Canine, one of many first beers George Stranahan ever crafted for the brewery in its 34-year historical past. Highway Canine can also be the beer mash used within the authentic Stranahan’s Whiskey. As soon as the barrels have been emptied and the beer was bottled, Flying Canine despatched again the barrels for Stranahan’s with which to fill a brand new batch of whiskey with an accelerated growing old course of. The consequence from Stranahan’s is The Osopher, the oldest whiskey Stranahan’s has ever put in a bottle. The Osopher stays true to each George Stranahan’s ardour for creativity and the Stranahan’s distillery’s dedication to innovating American Single Malt Whiskey. With 11 years of growing old and 4 months spent in Imperial Porter barrels, that is the oldest launch ever bottled by Stranahan’s.
To at the present time The Osopher stays the oldest whiskey ever launched by Stranahan’s, however along with that it marks the skilled and private connection between Jess Graber and co-founder George Stranahan, who handed away in Might 2021. It’s a touching story that goes past the everyday restricted version collaboration amongst manufacturers, although what issues above all else in the end is the way it tastes.
As soon as within the glass I found that the model’s nosing notes — espresso cake, toffee, toasted malt, and barrel char — have been very a lot aligned with my very own. I additionally picked up aromas reminiscent of darkish chocolate, nutmeg, and cinnamon, together with sweeter notes of honeysuckle, pink sugar cookies, and cherry saltwater taffy. With an intriguing interaction between gentle confectionery aromas and the darker, extra beer-inflected notes, I used to be curious to see how they’d mix on the palate.
Luckily, the fusion was a whole success as my mouth was met with clover honey, wealthy malted chocolate, cinnamon, and even a shocking splash of pineapple upside-down cake. After spending extra time with this whiskey I discovered the model’s notes once more rang true: sherry-soaked golden raisins may be discovered together with bread pudding and barleywine. Along with these flavors I picked up the faintest indication of almond butter on the end, making this one of many extra satisfying and distinctive whiskeys I’ve had in latest reminiscence.
It’s a disgrace this launch was ultra-limited and unlikely to be replicated, however in case you’re ever in a position to observe down a pattern of it I might extremely suggest savoring the chance. One can solely hope any future collaborations between Stranahan’s and Flying Canine Brewery will produce related outcomes.
94.6 proof.
A / $160 / stranahans.com
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey The Osopher
$160
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