Review: Hell House American Whiskey
Review: Hell House American Whiskey
In Clay County, Florida, along the swampy banks of the St. John River, exists a little bitty city known as Green Cove Springs, population 9,784. During the late ’60s, the members of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, unable to practice in their hometown of Jacksonville, Florida due to noise complaints, would drive 20 miles down US 17 to that aforementioned little bitty city. There, original band member Ronnie Van Zant had a little bitty dockside shack where they’d jam and compose anthems like “Simple Man,” “Gimme Three Steps,” and eventually, “Free Bird.” It was cramped and it was hot as hell. They named this little bitty practice space Hell House.
Fifty-something years on from those halcyon days, Hell House is no more: It is simply a vacant lot in the corner of a private subdivision known as Edgewater Landing. After the untimely death of the property’s steward in the fall of 2022, followed by a protracted battle with Edgewater’s HOA over the placement of a historical marker in the spring of 2023, it’s most recently been reported that the property is going up for sale, presumably the future site of a condo or duplex.
But fear not, for the name lives on in the form of Hell House American Whiskey. A collaboration between the current incarnation of the band and proprietary rapid maturation specialists Bespoken Spirits, Hell House claims:
With a captivating honey-amber appearance, Hell House unleashes aromas of honeydew, sorbet, butterscotch, and allspice. The palate reveals cotton candy sweetness and floral hints of rose and lavender. Its oak-driven finish leaves a sweet and spicy lingering allure. Crafted for all to savor, experience the journey of Hell House Whiskey’s extraordinary flavors.
Hell House American Whiskey Review
The label’s an admittedly classy presentation, lightly evocative of the Jack Daniel’s bottles seen in many of the band’s press and backstage photos (note: bandleader Van Zant’s drink of choice was J&B), while the liquid is a deeper, richer red than the above quote describes. It’s pretty, reminiscent of a cask strength, Port-finished bourbon.
On the nose is where it starts to unravel, and fast. It’s cloyingly sweet, all disparate butterscotch and light char that, together, come off as glutinous. The mashbill, a mouthwatering-on-paper 89% corn, 10% rye, and 1% barley, doesn’t have enough depth to support whatever “Tailored Wood Finishing” has been applied to it. This continues onto the palate, where whiffs of florality and licorice on the front palate and finish are overwhelmed by sweet, inorganic caramel and cocoa. A waxy, liqueur-filled chocolate egg by way of R.M. Palmer, the notes feel dissonant and insincere.
Not quite whiskey-flavored vodka, it reads like a facsimile of American whiskey – not interesting enough to be undrinkable, not drinkable enough to be interesting, as if someone asked Siri to tell ChatGPT to design them a bourbon.
Less of a Hell House, and more of a little bitty Hell Duplex.
90 proof.
D / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Hell House American Whiskey
USD50
Tried this tonight, and it tasted like a burning tire. I cannot recommend this to anyone.
terrible
All I smell and taste is wood. Almost an artificial flavoring. Obviously not AGED in charred barrels.
Love Lynyrd Skynyrd. But this whiskey smell like rubbing alcohol. They got me bought two bottles. Just because you like a band don’t always believe in the aftermarket shit that someone sells.
Bought two bottles. I should have passed on this product. Opened the first bottle smells like rubbing alcohol. Drank some couldn’t get past the taste without holding my breath.
Gale Las Vegas this is smooth I drink on rocks you can taste the flavor of amber and oak in the after taste just a Lil rubbing alcohol not much its smooth if u put in freezer let cool off it won’t freeze
Love this stuff!
Bought a bottle on a whim because.. Lynyrd Skynyrd. Maybe my palate is out of whack but I found it to be a smooth drinker. Really surprised at the comments and low review rating.
God I wanted to love this, but no. The closest I can come to a description is watered down Listerine. What a disappointment. The bottle will most likely live out its existence on the bar until I finally get rid of the nostalgic feeling and toss it. Yes…it’s that bad.
Horrible, however; if you love the taste of plastic or burnt plastic this poor excuse for a whiskey is for you. They need to let it age a lot longer in wood barrels and not store it or transport it in metal containers. I will drink Evan Williams before I drink another dram from this horrible bottle. Now I just keep it to fill the shelf space and it’s a conversation starter.
Just retried it. Awful!
Taste like it was well aged. In wet socks. Undrinkable.
bought a bottle for the free flask, first taste reminded me of burning rubber and shoe polish! no No thanks!!