Stranahan's Single Barrel Single Malt Whiskey Review. 

    

    Stranahan's is one of those names I’ve seen on shelves for years, but somehow never really sat down with until now. This bottle changed that in a big way. This is a Market District single barrel pick of Stranahan’s American single malt, bottled at a healthy 56.71% ABV and aged for five years and one month. It was my first experience with a Stranahan’s single barrel, and honestly, I went into it curious but cautious.

    Part of the excitement here comes from the format. Single barrel, cask strength, American single malt, all from a distillery doing everything in-house. When you add in a sub-$50 price tag, expectations naturally start climbing. Before even pouring the glass, this already felt like a bottle worth spending some real time with.

    Stranahan's distills, ages, and bottles their whiskey in Colorado, using 100% malted barley and new charred American oak. This particular barrel just barely clears the five-year mark, which is where Stranahan’s tends to like keeping their releases. Being both single barrel and cask strength, nothing here is toned down or blended away. What’s in the glass is exactly what that barrel had to say.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/4BmlAOzPCAI.

Age Statement: 5 years 1 month.

ABV: 56.71%.

Mash bill: 100% barley.

Area of Distillation: Denver, Colorado.

Appearance: Dark golden straw.


On the nose: 

    The first thing that hits is sweetness, followed closely by earthy barley and a wave of warm spice. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom all show up, but nothing feels sharp or aggressive. There’s a subtle rubbery note underneath, and I mean that in a good way. It almost reminds me of a high-proof Caribbean rum. Green apple tartness, a soft herbal character, and even a candy-like peach note begin to emerge with time. The nose is layered, expressive, and remarkably polished for a five-year American single malt at this proof.

Taste:

    The sweetness carries right through to the palate. Sweet grains, cinnamon, baked apples, and a rich warmth spread across the tongue. The mouthfeel is oily and full, coating the palate beautifully. Oak, vanilla, caramel, and char work in harmony with the barley, creating a depth that feels well beyond its age statement. As it opens up, a subtle floral note appears, along with something distinctly pastry-like. The flavor that finally locks it in is a peach turnover, complete with flaky dough and a drizzle of vanilla icing.

Finish:

    The finish is warm, lingering, and satisfying. Spiced wood sugars, sweet malt, and gentle oak fade slowly, leaving behind a balanced combination of sweetness and structure. It never drinks hot, despite the proof, and it leaves you wanting another sip almost immediately.

Final Thoughts: 
    This barrel pick completely exceeded my expectations. For a five-year-old American single malt, the complexity, mouthfeel, and balance here are impressive. At $46.99, this is one of the better values I’ve come across in the category, especially considering it’s a single barrel and bottled at cask strength. You do need to enjoy malt-forward whiskey to fully appreciate it, but if you do, this one absolutely delivers.

Rating: -A (Amazing).

Cost: $46.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/4BmlAOzPCAI.

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