Hannah’s Dry Fly Bourbon 101 Review
Original review written on October 23, 2019
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
While not unfamiliar with this distillery from Idaho’s neighbor state, Washington, this spirit has succeeded in capturing my attention with its steady, good performances. Dry Fly is most definitely on my radar now. 89/100
VITALS:
– Made in: Washington, USA
– Distiller: Dry Fly Distilling
– Classification: Straight Washington Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: 4 yrs. in new 53-gallon oak barrels
– Mash Bill: Corn=55%; Triticale=45% (triticale is a wheat/rye hybrid, first bred during the late 1800s in German and Scottish laboratories)
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 50.5% (101 proof)
– Price: $39.95 USD in Idaho
Visit dryflydistilling.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
As a simple-tasting bourbon, I don’t think the setting needs to be too complex either. Still poignant, however, this is a phenomenal drink to have at the bar with a multitude of friends. Don’t think too much about the drink, but more about the laughs and smiles of great company in a cozy atmosphere. You’re blessed.
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
NOSE:
The first scents that erupt from the glass are earthy in nature, with oak, hay, and rich damp soil taking point. The alcohol is not overly aggressive, making deep breaths from the Glencairn not too dangerous. Further nosing coaxes fresh apples, graham cracks, or perhaps maple syrup. Overall, very nice. Not explosive or particularly warming, but comforting and calming all the same.
PALATE:
– Mouth feel: Fresh with a bit of grit.
– Balance: Good balance – maybe a touch spice forward, but not in a bad way.
– Visual: Tawny with a clinging crown with fast dropping legs.
– Taste: This spirit offers particularly bright flavors that mix very nicely with the alcohol burn, almost as though alcohol is meant to function as a key component for flavor. It is not overly complex, but still very nice. A greater statement with black pepper is made after a time, which eventually gives way to seasoned oak and toasted pecans.
I feel as though there is citrus element between sips, maybe blood orange?
A Kentucky chew brings the blood orange a lot more forward to mix with a newfound vanilla custard.
Overall, a solid bourbon on taste that is gently warming. Great value!
FINISH:
– Lasting power: Fairly long finish that I wouldn’t have expected from a fresh-tasting bourbon. The warmth sits in the mouth especially, but there is still a warmth that just lingers down into the chest.
– No More: There’s more vanilla on the taste towards the bottom of the glass, but the freshness remains. Again, simple, but not in the slightest a disappointment. Definitely makes me want to pay more attention to this distillery and its future releases. The empty glass smells of straight-up fresh oak. The spirit also improved in quality towards the bottom of the glass 😉
WORTH THE PRICE?
Absolutely
RATING: 89/100
Click to see Hannah’s rating process
To access other whiskies with this rating, click 89/100.
Click Dry Fly to read my thoughts on other whiskey from this distillery.
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