Fifty Stone Single Malt Whiskey Review
This whiskey contains considerably more peat and iodine taste than I would expect from an American Whiskey, but if these Mainiacs are your style, you're going to be real glad they're doing what they're doing!
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Maine Craft Distilling
- MASH BILL: Malted barley that is floor-malted at their distillery – something that is done at only small handful of craft distilleries on this side of the pond
- AGE: NAS - No age Statement
- YEAR: 2018
- PROOF: 90 (45% ABV)
- MSRP: $45
- BUY ONLINE: Retail Locator
PAUL'S NOTES
NOSE: Agave | Cherries | Earthy notes | Cereal
TASTE: Iodine | BBQ Smoke | Dark Chocolate | The peat comes through heavier than the malt
FINISH: Medium-long | Very medicinal | More Islay than Highlands as advertised
SHARE WITH: Craft whiskey nerds and Islay scotch fans. While not for everyone, the Scottish techniques that go into making this whiskey, along with the American-sourced ingredients make it a very unique dram.
WORTH THE PRICE: My current whiskey-goal is to sample a whiskey from each of our 50 states. I got this bottle while in Maine from a grocery store that was looking to liquidate their stock at quite a bit below MSRP. At that price, I’m very happy I have it to share in tastings. At closer to $45, I think I would want to know what I was getting into prior to taking the plunge.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: I’d suggest starting with a taster at a bar, prior to deciding if this one is right for you. That is, of course, unless you’re also trying to drink your way across our great nation, in which case you could do much worse.
OVERALL: This whiskey contains considerably more peat and iodine taste than I would expect from an American Whiskey or any whiskey that brands itself as being in the “Highland Style.” Had it been marketed as in the Islay tradition I may not have had the expectations disconnect that I experienced the first few times I tasted this. Adding water doesn’t change much of the nose or the taste, but it does make the finish considerably less medicinal, and that is how I’ve found myself drinking this lately. At the end of the day, I appreciate what the folks over at Maine Craft Distilling are doing. They’re using the latitude that being a small, independent distillery affords them to make something that is uniquely theirs. It might not be for everyone, but if it’s for you, you’re going to be really excited they’re doing what they’re doing!
BRAND NOTES
Age-old custom held that 50 stones of barley made one barrel of whiskey. Honoring that nostalgic unit of measurement, we created Fifty Stone. Mature beyond its years, our whiskey emerges from its handmade oak barrels with a distinctive Highlands single-malt allure. Made with floor-malted Maine-grown barley, smoked with Maine peat and locally harvested seaweed, Fifty Stone pours a wonderful shade of amber. Notes of vanilla and caramel are balanced by dark fruit flavors and a robust spicy finish, with whispers of campfire and the sea.