Three Floyds Dark Lord Straight Malt Whiskey Review.

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 Three Floyds Dark Lord Straight Malt Whiskey Review.


    Three Floyds is a name most folks know for their legendary beer; Zombie Dust, Gumballhead, and, of course, Dark Lord, the Russian Imperial Stout that has become a cult classic. But in recent years, their ambitions have stretched beyond hops and barley into the world of craft spirits. For their 20th anniversary of Dark Lord in 2024, they released something bold: a straight malt whiskey finished in Dark Lord beer barrels. This one carries not just the Three Floyds reputation, but the energy of their beer-fueled legacy.

    What’s fun here is the mash bill: barley, wheat, oats, and corn. It’s already unique on paper, but when you layer on finishing time in barrels that once held one of the heaviest stouts around, it creates a collision of grain and beer culture in a bottle. I’d been sitting on this release for far too long, but with a 6-year version just hitting shelves, it seemed like the perfect time to finally crack into the 5-year and see what this mash-up could really deliver.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/X3M7fxk9B-I.

Age Statement: 5 years.

ABV: 50%.

Mash bill: Barley, wheat, oats, and corn. (at least 51% barley as per the TTB).

Area of Distillation: Munster, Indiana.

Appearance: Deep Mocha.


On the nose:
    Right away, the malt takes center stage with chocolate, cocoa nibs, and a stout-like richness. There’s an earthy, waxy barley character layered with dusty corn sweetness and a hint of oat that feels almost like a chocolate-dipped granola bar. Wheat brings a subtle spice, while cedar and sandalwood tones float in the background. Vanilla, caramel, and a light perfumed quality round it out, with no harsh ethanol burn.


Taste:
    Chocolate dominates here, from cocoa powder to melted bar. The mouthfeel is lush and velvety, coating the palate in waves of malt and grain. Notes of buttery barley, earthy waxiness, and stout-driven roastiness define the profile. Granola-like oat returns, mixing with homemade caramels, vanilla, and a whisper of corn dust. The wheat provides a soft spice that complements rather than overwhelms, making the choice of wheat over rye feel particularly smart.


Finish:
    Long, rich, and beer-forward without ever tasting like beer. The stout influence amplifies the chocolate and malt into a Guinness-like creaminess, with velvety textures that linger. Cocoa nibs, caramel, and earthy grains hang on, leaving behind a balance of sweetness and malt-driven spice that makes you want another sip immediately.


Final Thoughts: 
    Three Floyds Dark Lord Straight Malt Whiskey is a fantastic showing of what happens when a brewery famous for bold beers puts just as much energy into whiskey-making. The 5-year release is absolutely worth the price, and with the 6-year version now on shelves at the same price, this experiment only seems to be getting better. For something that could have easily come off as a gimmick, it’s instead a thoughtful, layered whiskey that bridges two crafts beautifully.

Rating: A (Excellent).

Cost: $66.66 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/X3M7fxk9B-I.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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