Final 12 months, former Jack Daniel’s grasp distiller Jeff Arnett grew to become one of many founders of Firm Distilling and joined a rising checklist of “retired” distillery captains who’ve used their a long time of whiskey knowhow to start out their very own smaller distilleries. Clearly, the person was obsessed with his commerce. Answering to the C-suite at Brown-Forman and parading via an countless calendar of whiskey festivals, possibly not a lot.
Firm Distilling might sound just a little, effectively, company, however the title is supposed to embody collaboration amongst pals, which is actually how the distillery got here to be shaped with Arnett, the previous president of the Tennessee Distillers Guild, and a number of other others. The group gained early manufacturing capability with the acquisition of H. Clark Distillery outdoors of Nashville in 2020 and constructed a tasting room in Townsend, within the Nice Smoky Mountains, however the plan is to quickly have a bigger, major distillery close by in Knoxville. Their present portfolio contains bourbon, rye, gin, and an extended checklist of flavored spirits. We obtained samples of the bourbon and gin for assessment. Ideas observe.
Firm Distilling Straight Bourbon Whiskey Completed with Maple Wooden – The model wouldn’t present the supply or the mashbill of this whiskey, solely that the whole lot within the bottle is at the very least 4 1/2 years outdated. Because the title implies, it has been completed with maple wooden, however precisely how and for the way lengthy can be unclear. It’s all a little bit of a thriller and fairly far faraway from the Jack Daniel’s fashion. The aroma showcases vibrant, fruity notes of inexperienced apple, ripe banana, char, and new wooden. It’s candy but additionally a bit waxy. The palate is approachable, mild and oily with notes of cinnamon bread, cookie butter, and chewy caramel. A mushy, warming spice carries evenly throughout the sip earlier than fading on a beneficiant, spiritous end of stewed apples and maple syrup. Satisfying however nonetheless only a bit youthful. 90 proof. B+ / $60
Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin – Distilled on an open-fired alembic nonetheless utilizing simply six unspecified botanicals (at the very least one being juniper), this can be a gin that prides itself on being uncomplicated. Certainly, that is about as simple a London, er, Tennessee, dry fashion as you’ll discover. The aroma is wealthy and well-balanced with candy juniper berry, candied citrus peel, and pine resin. On the palate, issues start on the sweeter aspect with cinnamon candies and purple licorice earlier than turning to drier notes of pine needles and entire spices. The end lingers with a little bit of citrus zest and fading juniper. Effectively-balanced and fairly fulfilling. Who knew the Tennessee whiskey man might additionally make a strong gin? 88 proof. A- / $40
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