American Single Malt: On The Road
- Ryan Negley
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Spring Break means one thing to our family, and that's an annual road trip a little further out west. This year, I took a new friend along for the adventure.
The Next Generation of ASM Producers
A couple of weeks before our trip to Utah, at a visit to Stranahan's, I was lucky enough to be taken on a little journey into the back and sample a cask that was well into its teens; virtually unheard of in American single malt, so far. After a bit of reminiscing with my host for the day, the conversation shifted to 'who's doing something cool, now?' (Which, by the way, is the inevitable evolution of a conversation amongst those in the distilling profession). We shared a few mutual brands that were exciting us and then we both remembered a small outfit out of Chicago that was impressed us at an American Craft Spirit Association's annual gathering: Judson & Moore.
Call it serendipity, but when I happened to reach out to J&M, they were nearing the launch of their four year American single malt. So a bottle was shipped, pic'd, then sipped, and the following are my thoughts.
From 2 To 4: Time To Shine
Every time a new grain-to-glass distillery lanches their two-year product, a few faults are expected. Typically the 'greenness' of the spirit highlighted by a light astringency with flavor imbalance, and notes of raw oak with a lack of developed esters are signals. (Some distilleries try and mitigate the astringency with really tight cuts, and only filling barrels with the sweetest part of the distilling run. Though this can actually lead to a loss of potential flavors in the future. Some compounds formed near and in the heads and tails are cut out, which after several seasons of aging would have provided additional potentially beneficial flavors. Nothing wrong with that; each distiller has made decisions for reasons.)
Impressively. the first time I tried Judson & Moore, the whiskey hardly had traces of youthful imbalance. What it did have was fantastic texture, or mouthfeel. I was really surprised by the softness at a young age, two years, and the early lactone development even with the expected grain-forwardness. The youthful imperfections often shown from a young distillery were slight, and made finding possibility and potential about their future quite exciting . The news of their 4 year age statement added to the anticipation to try this new whiskey.
Some quick details on the brand:
Chicago is home with the distillery being located in a refurbished abandoned tannery.
Collin and Elise are the operating partners and owners, and real life partners.
Four whiskeys are available from Judson & Moore, including ASM, Rye, and two Bourbons.
Release number one was in 2022.
Musicality plays a large role in their tasting room experience.
Age Matters
Southern Utah is just one ridiculously spectacular thing after another. It's otherworldy, inspiring, breathtaking, and other words related to awesomeness. There's so much to take in, like trying to realize 70-ish millions of years of Earth's aging is just staring at you from all angles. Neat stuff.
Whiskey doesn't age in rocks, though. Eons aren't the typical term of measurement, years and months are. So to have a sample of this whiskey that is double the age from a previously delightful experience, I expect the added time to make a major impact.
A side note about making it to the four-year mark for a craft distiller: it's a big deal. It's worth bragging about. It's definitely, a 'Hey, I've made it' moment. Technically, a distillery doesn't have to put an age on the label once it hits four years. Any American whiskey that has no age on it, by federal regulatory standards, is reported by the distillery to be over four years of age. But, most consumers don't know that. Another reason is that it's the beginning of bottled-in-bond territory. Bottled in bond may be an archaic term, but for the informed whiskey consumer it resonates as a marker of quality and indicator of premium value. For a modern brand, it can add a nod to American whiskey history.
Back to Judson & Moore's 4 year American single malt whiskey made of 65% applewood smoked malted barley and 35% malted barley, distilled in a pot-column combo still, and aged in MN oak Kelvin Cooperage barrels. What was impressive the first time around continues to impress now. It's beginning to become a really great whiskey, with each sense slightly elevated. The phenols are not as pronounced as previously experienced, though I think the average bourbon drinker may find this very light smoke thought provoking. As expected on the palate, the grainy-ness is fading away, beginning to leave the delicate flavors and dna of the malt. The oak is still soft and the spices are starting to transition from peppery to candy coating. Hints of underipe bananas, light maple syrup, ginger, and wet oak, like a morning walk in the woods. The best part, still, is that lovely mouthfeel and generous finish.
Thoughts & Details
For the nerds, below are the specs on the whiskey:
Judson & Moore, American single malt whiskey, 4 years
65% Applewood smoked malt, 35% malt(ed barley)
Distilled in a pot-column combo still, double distilled
Aged in MN oak, Kelvin Cooperage barrels, slight variety of toasting and charring.
Aged for 4 years
Proofed with RO water
Bottled at 47%
Release is a batch of 4 barrels
Price, unknown. But if it's under or near $70, it's worth it.
Simply put, this is an incredibly enjoyable single malt whiskey. If one has to pick a lane, it's more appealing to the malt whiskey drinker than the bourbon drinker. (But good new is they make a bourbon, two actually.) Lovely malt forward nose, light spices and young fruits on the palate; a long finish reminiscient of a midwest late summer afternoon out in the country. Kudos to the team at Judson & Moore for proving the future is bright for American single malt whiskey!
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