DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Boulder Spirits American Single Malt Whiskey
(Vapor Distillery, CO)  106.6° proof
100% malt barley. Rocky Mountain glacier melt. Aged no less than 4 yrs. in #3 char American & European oak.

Nose: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, Kit Kat bar, subtle vanilla, marzipan, candied fruit, dried fruit, cherry, mild citrus, ginger, wintergreen, peanut shells, nutty, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, peppery, malt, leather, cigar box, cedar, sanded oak, charred oak, smoke, castile soap, fine French perfume.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, sherried milk chocolate, mocha, spicy vanilla, Sugar Pops cereal, brown sugar, demerara, dates, raisin, prune, plum, fig, orange, orange peel, citrus, hints of ginger, wintergreen, mint, hints of baking spice, peppery, iodine, peaty, smoky, cigar box, oaky, woody, mostly wood, Madeira wine, initial sweetness, lingering heat, good concentration, creamy.
Finish: Toffee, maple syrup, red apple skin, eucalyptus, nutty, nutmeg, clove, black pepper, peppery, spicy, spice prevalent throughout, strong peat, cedar-like, oak, sherry cask matured, smoky, interesting opposing flavors, balanced, smooth, soft, rich, creamy, robust, wow.

Double Gold Medal

Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey
(Limestone Branch Distillery, IN/KY)  108° proof
100% malted barley.

Aroma: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, dried cherries, Granny Smith apple, orange peel, orange zest, mango peel, ginger, fresh bread, biscuit, oatmeal, walnut, toasted almond, coffee, clove, faint cinnamon, black pepper, soil, earthy, leather, cedar, oak, bright.
Palate: Caramel overtones, dark chocolate, vanilla, dates, pineapple, peach, star anise, orange oil, citrus, grains, buckwheat, barley, malty, peanut brittle, peanut casings, nutty, coffee, definite baking spice, savory spices, bright spice, nutmeg, clove, allspice, peppery, tannins, cigar box, cedar, buttery oak, charred oak, smoky, woody, complex, smooth, brassy, robust.
Finish: Lingering honey, molasses, orange peel, citrus, floral notes, black tea, clove, jalapeño, loads of earthiness, smoky, toasted oak, cedar, woody, great heat, smooth, savory, rich, creamy, bourbon-depth, classic.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt Whisky
(Balcones Distilling, TX)  118° proof
100% Golden Promise malted barley. Finished in various ex-Sherry Solera puncheons.

Aroma: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, molasses rum, , treacle, stroopwafel, brown sugar, honey, dried fruit, baked plums, apricot, peach, mango, black cherry, stone fruit, sweet tea, coffee, spice, cigar box, oak, rich, soft, pleasant.
Palate: Caramel, salted caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, bitter chocolate, Maltesers, cane sugar, brown sugar, maple, honey, cooked honey, orange honey, prune, figs, dates, raisin, plum, pineapple, bright citrus, orange bitters, tea, gingerbread, grain, toast, nutty, malty, peppery, briny, leather, woody, oak, well integrated.
Finish: Orange, orange peel, citrus, dates, mint, basil, pepper, spice abounds, robust spice, earthy, dusty, musty, pine, oak, sherry cask matured, complex, big, bold, nicely balanced, very balanced, very smooth, layers of flavor, approachable, lovely.

Gold Medal

Pine Bluffs Distilling American Single Malt Whiskey Vol. 1
(WY)  94° proof
100% malted barley.

Aroma: Rich caramel, fudge, chocolate, baking chocolate, mocha, honey, agave syrup, stewed cherry, raisins, rum raisin, dried fruits, berries, ripe banana, banana bread, pineapple-orange juice, licorice, mint, green grass, tarragon, nutmeg, tabasco, briny, wet soil, musty, smoky barrel, new wood, oak, pine, sherry, very fragrant, exotic.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate covered orange peel, cocoa, molasses, dark sugar, brown sugar, honey, banana, apple, sour apple, currant, citrus, black olives, roasted walnut, almond, cashew, overstepped black tea, tannic, baking spices, white pepper, black pepper, peppery, tabasco note, spicy, salty, briny, peaty, earthy, wood forward, cigar box woodiness, oaky, cedar, smoky, loads of deep barrel smoke, grainy mouthfeel, well integrated.
Finish: Treacle, cacao, brown sugar, honey, dark fruit, pineapple, floral, spicy, peppery, tannic, tannins, smoky, cedar wood box, cedar, oak, wood notes, underlying sweetness, lingering sweetness, balanced, smooth, rich, bold, very impressive.

Gold Medal