Review: Craft Distillers Low Gap Single Barrel No. 1 Whiskey
Review: Craft Distillers Low Gap Single Barrel No. 1 Whiskey
This very, very limited release is a continuation of the Low Gap wheat whiskey, a single barrel bottling of its 100% Bavarian wheat whiskey, which we reviewed a few months ago as a two year old expression.
This barrel was bottled in January 2013 after spendnig “two-plus” years in a 200 liter new Kentucky oak barrel. It was cut to 100.4 proof with filtered rainwater.
Only 240 bottles of this whiskey were produced, so it’s unlikely you’ll ever see it in the wild, but it’s an interesting counterpoint to the regular Low Gap 2 Year Old Wheat and a nice look at how, as Craft Distillers puts it, the project is progressing.
The main difference vs. the 2 Year Old Wheat is that the standard bottling is aged in ex-brandy barrels instead of new ones. The resultant spirit is quite engaging and unique. Spice and heat on the nose, with hints of charred wood beneath. On the tongue, an intense and fresh cereal character plays with roasted marshmallows, banana, coconut, and some enigmatic floral notes. Hints of red berries and some cocoa on the finish.
Nothing at all like the standard bottling (which is understandable given the barrel program), but highly engaging. Seek out a glass, if you can!
(Standard 2 Year Old bottle pictured.)
100.4 proof.
A- / $75 / craftdistillers.com
Craft Distillers Low Gap Single Barrel No. 1 Whiskey
$75
