Review: Clyde May’s Conecuh Ridge Whiskey (2013)
Review: Clyde May’s Conecuh Ridge Whiskey (2013)
1) Who is Clyde May? An Alabama farmer and WWII veteran who turned to illegal whiskeymaking to supplement his income… and learn a thing or two about craft distilling. In 2002 Clyde’s son Kenny May decided to revive the family business and open a distillery.
2) Where is Conecuh Ridge? Southern Alabama, near the Florida panhandle. It’s reportedly where at one point the heaviest concentration of moonshine activity in the U.S. was taking place. (There still seems to be some hanky panky going on in the whiskey biz here; several years ago Kenny was busted for violating Alabama liquor laws; ownership has since changed hands.)
3) What, they make whiskey in Alabama? Yeah, and this whiskey — formerly branded as just Conecuh Ridge Whiskey — is evidence that these characters knew what they were doing.
Clyde May’s Whiskey is made with a Bourbon recipe of corn, rye, and malted barley and is aged in charred new oak barrels, reportedly for four years, though no age statement is offered. (Clyde May’s is also not called a Bourbon on the label.)
On the nose there’s a whole lot to love: applesauce, caramel, butterscotch, and coconut notes in various degrees. It’s a little boozy, but the sweet stuff shines through. On the palate, the grain is present but far from overpowering, with that butterscotch particularly strong. There’s a touch of Port character in there, a richness that hints at raisins and dried figs.
The finish is simple and the alcohol burn mellows over time as it aerates in the glass; it’s quite fun to sip on! Good stuff, Mr. May!
86 proof.
B+ / $30 / clydemays.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Clyde May's Conecuh Ridge Whiskey (2013)
$30
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This whiskey is unique. The incredibly powerful apple flavor brings to mind the buffalo trace wheaters, but it’s smoother… unfortunately it doesn’t have the spice to balance out the whole.
What we’ve found is that a 2-1 single barrel whistlepig (10 years) with a few drops of angostura and peychauds really makes for a tremendous cocktail.
Bought a bottle on several recommendations. Opened, removed seal, pulled the cork!!!!the cork remained in the bottle and the top was in my hand. Most unfortunate! Expected to be able to un cork with out issues. Served three fingers over ice, is OK but will not repurchase if I have issues with un corking the product
This is a really good whiskey, call it Bourbon or not. The flavors of apple and cinnamon
make it palatable over ice with a semi-strong first bite and then a smooth finish. A very good whiskey for the price.