Admittedly, the domestic whiskey market is getting increasingly crowded, especially with the introduction of American single malt as an officially designated category. However, the new experimental whiskey from the legendary Buffalo Trace has nothing to do with malted barley but beer hops.
Room for Innovation
While Buffalo Trace is one of the most well-respected distilleries, responsible for producing not only its own remarkable straight bourbon but brands such as Van Winkle and Blanton’s, the Kentucky powerhouse has also been known to dabble in the unknown and unexpected. The 26th release of its Experimental Collection — which, last year, introduced a peated bourbon — the revered distillery has now brought to market a grain whiskey using two types of hops that can be found in brewing beer.
A product ten years in the making, this Grain and Hops whiskey was born from the IPA boom over a decade ago and comes after the preponderance of barrel-aged beer, which sees the brew aged for some time in casks formerly used for aging whiskey.
Hip Hops
The two hops in question are the Czechoslovakian Saaz noble hops typically used in Bohemian pilsners and Zythos hops, found right here in the U.S. These hops were infused into a raw grain distillate for 30 minutes. It was then redistilled before being aged in charred white oak barrels for over 11 and a half years and bottled at 90 proof.
According to Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, “Thanks to the eleven-plus years of aging, the hop aroma and hop flavors are evident while providing a balanced bitterness that blends well with the spirit’s oaky whiskey character.”
But What Exactly Does It Taste Like?
The truth is, distilleries experiment far more thn you realize. However, the results just aren’t desirable enough to bring a product to market. For instance, Buffalo Trace says it currently has over 30,000 experimental whiskey barrels aging rickhouses, the majority of which will never see the light of day. The Grain and Hops expression from Buffalo Trace, however, is a different story. While we haven’t tried the whiskey ourselves yet, the consensus from the distilery’s representatives is overwhelmingly positive.
According to those who have tasted it, Grain and Hops starts with a nose that’s hops-forward with citrus and herbal notes akin to those found in beer, along with vanilla and seasoned oak. The palate is equally as interesting with citrus, lemon, and orange zest, along with herbal and oak notes. The Zythos hops in particular are known for their tropical and herbal profile, which is brought forward here.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Global Director Andrew Duncan explicates, “After tasting it with our distillers, we agreed Release #26 embodies our relentless drive for innovation. Merging the worlds of beer and whiskey is especially exciting — we believe beer lovers will appreciate its bold hoppiness while discovering the depth of its whiskey-like qualities. A spirit like this, crafted at this scale, is truly rare”
Spec Sheet
Type: Grain whiskey
Age: 11 years, 7 months
ABV: 45%
Nose: Hoppy, citrus, herbal, vanilla, oak
Palate: Citrus, lemon, orange zest, herbal, oak
Pricing & Availability
Like past Experimental Collection releases, this Grain and Hops whiskey will be available at the distillery only, and on random days in the coming months. Buffalo Trace typically has a one-bottle-per-customer policy for their rotating daily bottles. However, the price tag won’t be too shabby, marked at $47. Expect the secondary market to bump this up quite a bit.
Recap
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection #26: Grain and Hops Whiskey
Buffalo Trace infused its grain distillate with two types of beer hops before aging the whiskey for over 11 years.
