Journeyman Distillery Cherrywood Smoked Single Malt Whiskey Review.
Journeyman Distillery has become a familiar name on this channel for good reason. They continue to push boundaries within the craft space while staying rooted in doing things the hard way, distilling, aging, and bottling everything in-house. With locations in Three Oaks, Michigan and a newer Indiana outpost, Journeyman has positioned itself as one of the more creative forces in American craft whiskey.
The moment I saw the label for this Cherrywood Smoked Single Malt, I knew it was something I wanted to explore. American single malts already have my attention, but when a distillery starts experimenting with smoked grain, especially using cherrywood, that curiosity ramps up fast. This whiskey is made from 100% single malt that was cherrywood smoked prior to distillation.
The inspiration behind the release pays tribute to the cherrywood trees introduced to the United States from Japan in the early 1900s. Those trees eventually spread across the country and became part of the landscape, much like how this whiskey blends old-world inspiration with American craftsmanship. Smoked grain can easily overpower a whiskey if mishandled, but Journeyman’s track record gave me confidence going into the glass.
Age Statement: N/A.
ABV: 62.5%.
Mash bill: 100% cherrywood smoked.
Area of Distillation: Three Oaks, Michigan & Valparaiso, Indiana.
Appearance: Dark amber.
On the nose:
The nose opens with a soft, fresh cherry note that immediately sets this apart. Beneath that is a gentle barley sweetness and a youthful grain character that feels clean rather than raw. Light smokiness weaves through the aromas, accompanied by subtle barrel char, vanilla, and a touch of peppery spice. Despite the high proof, the nose is remarkably gentle and drinks closer to the low 50% range. There is no ethanol bite, no harshness, and no off notes. The smoke presents more like the lingering ash of a campfire from the night before than an aggressive blast.
Taste:
The palate is viscous and coating, with a rich, oily texture that clings beautifully. Sweet fruit leads the way with cherry and hints of apple, followed by floral spice and cinnamon stick. The cherrywood smoke builds gradually, transitioning from background warmth into a bold, ashy, ember-like presence. Notes of dark oak char and savory smokiness emerge, reminiscent of a well-seared steak or a perfectly charred marshmallow. It is smoky without being burnt, bold without being overwhelming.
Finish:
The finish leans heavily into ash, embers, and savory smoke while maintaining balance through lingering fruit sweetness and malt character. It is long, expressive, and confident, with no heat or rough edges despite the proof. For a whiskey that is likely around the 30-month mark, it drinks far beyond its age.
Final Thoughts:
This is one of the most impressive smoked American single malts I have had to date. It drinks closer to a young Highland Park or a lightly peated Scotch than most American examples, yet it retains its identity through cherrywood sweetness and malt-forward character. At $80, it sits on the higher end for a young craft release, and I would have appreciated more transparency on age and process. That said, the execution here speaks for itself.
This is not a bottle for casual drinkers or those hesitant about smoke. If you enjoy ashy, savory, smoke-forward whiskey, this is absolutely worth seeking out. Journeyman didn’t treat smoke as a novelty here. It is fully integrated, intentional, and beautifully done.
Rating: -A (amazing).
Cost: $79.99 for 750ml.
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