Stranahan's Diamond Peak Single Malt Whiskey

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) officially established "American Single Malt Whisky" as a distinct standard of identity on Dec 18,2024. 

To carry this label, the spirit must be mashed, distilled, and aged in the US, made from 100% malted barley, distilled entirely at a single distillery, and aged in oak barrels.

It has to e distilled to a proof of 160 or less and be bottled at not less than 80 proof (40% ABV). It must be labeled as "Straight" American single malt whisky if it is aged for at least two years (the standard minimum aging for straight whiskeys)and can only allow caramel coloring if it is explicitly disclosed on the product label.

Stranahan's Distillery is located in downtown Denver, Colorado. Originally setup in 2004 by neighbours Jess Graber and George Stranahan, the distillery is Colorado's first legal distillery since Prohibition. 2006 saw their first 'Original' release.

The Diamond Peak is an annual release that has previously seen Rum casks used for finishing whereas today’s bottle uses Tequila casks for the finishing.

Stranahan’s Diamond Peak 2023  45% abv                                                            

$53/£42.50/€51.50

Colorado Single Malt Extra Anejo Tequila Cask finished

Nose: Spearmint straight away, agave syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and sourdough bread. Some stewed apples, fresh pastry and orange sherbert. Quite effervescent. Cream soda as well as Rooibos tea.

Water brings more mint, sawdust and wintergreen.

Palate: A sweet arrival with practically no alcohol heat. Baked apples, butterscotch, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla cream. Jamaican ginger cake, custard and some cayenne pepper. Agave syrup again.

Water means it loses a little body. Bitter bark like quinine and black peppercorns.

Finish: Just about medium – caramel, herbal agave and vanilla.

Score: 6 out of 10

Overall: Not super complex but very drinkable and an above average spirit. The tequila cask definitely imparts its own thing but I’m not sure that I’d buy another bottle.

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