Lasso Motel 18-Year American Whiskey Review

Lasso Motel
American Straight Whiskey
Aged 18 Years
121 Proof
MSRP: $129.99
Review

Please enjoy my Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey Review! An enjoyable light whiskey distilled by MGP.

Lasso Motel Whiskey Was Founded By Devin Odell

Lasso Motel Whiskey was founded by drinks industry veteran Devin Odell, President of Dynasty Spirits. Devin wanted to add a high end bourbon to his portfolio, and thus this brand was born. According to the initial company press release: “Lasso Motel Whiskey was inspired by Odell’s time at the storied Belmont Hotel—a now-shuttered but historic Dallas landmark reminiscent of the iconic Chateau Marmont. The hotel, once a vibrant hub for artists and celebrities, offered stunning views of the city. Encapsulated by the rock-and-roll nostalgia and the sense of history that the Belmont represented, Odell’s memories of this place laid the foundation for the timeless essence of Lasso Motel Whiskey.”

Devin went all in on his new line of whiskeys. There are currently 4-, 8- and 18-year old straight whiskeys, a 10-year old barrel strength straight rye, and a large collection of finished bourbons.

The Specifics – Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey Review

Lasso Motel 18-Year Straight American Whiskey was distilled at MPG (now Ross & Squibb Distillery) in Lawrenceburg, IN. It is made from a mash bill of 99% corn and 1% malted barley. MGP generally uses this mash bill for bourbon or light whiskey. Therefore, given the age, taste and appearance, I am assuming that this is a light whiskey. If you aren’t familiar with the style, it was first conceived in the 1960s as American distillers sought to compete with the growing popularity of lighter-tasting “clear” spirits like vodka, as well as blended Scotch, and Canadian whisky. The U.S. federal government officially created the “light whiskey” category in 1968 and it hit shelves beginning in July 1972.

Light Whiskey is distilled at greater than 160 proof (but less than 190 proof) and is stored in new uncharred, or used, oak containers. Therefore, light whiskey differs from bourbon in that bourbon can not be distilled to greater than 160 proof and it must be stored in a new charred oak container. These differences give light whiskey a “lighter” and more “smooth” flavor profile.

Although new uncharred barrels can be used for light whiskey, the majority is aged in used barrels. In addition, most of the high age statement light whiskey on the market today was distilled at MGP. While nowadays many of the light whiskeys are bottled at a very high proof, originally they were proofed down to 80-86. Remember, they were meant to compete with vodka and imported blended whiskeys which are generally bottled in that range.

Tasting Notes – Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Light buttery butterscotch, lightly burnt caramel, honey and mild rye spices. Sweet alcohol. Mild dry oak in the background. Alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Fairly sweet with honey, butterscotch and dried apricot; tart orange peel and capsaicin spice later on; dry wood
👉🏻Finish: Fairly pronounced capsaicin spice, tart orange peel; dry later on with mild barrel char, lingering spice and tart orange peel; long with a moderate warmth

The nose of Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey has a background flavor which I find characteristic of light whiskeys. If you have had any, you would recognize it. It’s like a sweet alcohol, mixed with light buttery butterscotch. In addition, there’s lightly burnt caramel, soft honey and mild rye spices, with just a hint of dry oak in the background. However, the oak becomes more noticeable in the nose after a few sips. The alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof.

At first, similar flavors are present in the taste. It’s initially quite sweet, with honey, light butterscotch and dried apricots. However, later on, capsaicin spice appears and grows, as well as tart orange peel. Those flavors continue into the finish, with the spice continuing to increase, and becoming quite pronounced. As it begins to subside a bit, the finish becomes increasingly dry, with mild barrel char. The finish is long, with a pleasant warmth.

Conclusion – A Very Enjoyable Light Whiskey

I am a fan of high aged MGP light whiskeys, and Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey definitely met my expectations. If you are a fan of this style as well, I think you’ll enjoy this whiskey. Have you tried it? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Lasso Motel 18-Year American Straight Whiskey Review! If you would like to read about a couple of their other whiskeys, check out my Lasso Motel 4-Year Kentucky Straight Whiskey and my Lasso Motel 8-Year Kentucky Straight Whiskey reviews!

Note: This bottle was graciously provided by the brand for my review.

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