Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review

Minden Mill
American Single Malt Whiskey
94 Proof
Age: 5 Years
SRP: $59.99

Please enjoy our Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review!

Background

Minden Mill Distilling is located in Minden, Nevada, within the Carson Valley. Currently under the ownership of Foley Family Wines, the distillery is guided by Joe O’Sullivan as its Master Distiller. Prior to this, the distillery operated from 2019-2022 under the name Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, which ceased operations in March 2022. It reopened as Minden Mill Distillery in 2023.

Ground to Glass Whiskeys

As a member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance and a holder of a Nevada estate distillery license, Minden Mill produces “ground-to-glass” whiskeys. Minden Mill American Single Malt is made from 100% estate-grown barley, malted on site. The grain is mashed with M1 yeast, and the water is sourced from Minden Mill’s onsite well, just 50 steps from the distillery’s front door, which is fed by snowpack from the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe.

Forsyth Stills

Minden Mill American Single Malt is distilled in dual, all-copper Forsyth stills hammered by hand in Speyside, Scotland – two of only a few in the U.S. Rather than using the steam commonly used to heat stills in most American whiskey production, Minden Mill’s cutting-edge heating systems use a thermal oil-heated calandria at the bottom of the stripping and spirit stills to reach higher temperatures than steam. This replicates the flavors of direct-fire distillation, creating a complex and exceptionally balanced flavor profile.

A Unique Barrel Aging Process

Minden Mill also implements a unique barrel aging process for the Nevada high desert climate. The whiskey is aged for five years in a barrel regime of Oloroso sherry, ex-bourbon and American oak casks, along with re-charred wine and sherry butts, in climate-controlled Rickhouses. The Rickhouses are intentionally calibrated to mimic the temperature and humidity of Speyside, Scotland – a nod to traditional single malt Scotch whisky aging methods.

The Specifics – Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review

• ABV: 47% | 94 Proof | Non-Chill Filtered
• Mash Bill: 100% Estate-Grown Barley, Malted on Site
• Maturation: Five years in a system of oloroso sherry, ex-bourbon, and American oak casks; re-charred wine and sherry butts

Tasting Notes – Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Sweet and fruit forward with pears, sweet ripe peaches, tangerines, honey and mild maltiness; applesauce with a touch of cinnamon later on; alcohol appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Sugary simple syrup and honey sweetness, sweet pears and tangerines; mild oak
👉🏻Finish: Tangerines and mild white pepper spice; increasingly dry; lingering dry wood, tangerines, spice, honey and mild barrel char; long; pleasant warmth;

The nose of Minden Mill American Single Malt is sweet and fruit forward, with pears, sweet ripe peaches and honey. There’s a mild maltiness, with some citrus tartness from tangerines, as well. Later on, a dollop of applesauce, with a touch of cinnamon, joins the party. The alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof.

The taste is quite sweet, with sugary simple syrup and honey, sweet pears and tangerines. The citrus flavors then turn a bit more tart, with the addition of white pepper spice, which grows and lingers. Gradually, the finish becomes increasingly dry, with dry wood, tart citrus, spice, honey and mild barrel char lingering on for a very long time. In the end, there is a deep pleasant warmth.

Conclusion – A Fruit Forward Whiskey

Fruits dominate this flavor profile, different from many other American Single Malts that I have tried, which tend to be very grain forward. That is not the case here. There is a mild maltiness, but it remains fairly subtle throughout. Even as the finish becomes increasingly dry, fruit flavors linger on, although they do grow a bit more tart as they are joined by the increasing spice. I am greatly enjoying this pour, which to me is reminiscent of some of the more fruit froward Irish Whiskeys. But yet, it has its own indivual touch. If you have tried other American Single Malts and found them to not be quite what you were looking for, Minden Mill American Single Malt may very well fit the bill. Have you tried this whiskey? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Minden Mill American Single Malt Whiskey Review! Would you like to read about other whiskeys from this distillery? Then check out our Minden Mill Bourbon Review and our Minden Mill Rye Whiskey Review.

NOTE: This bottle has been graciously provided by the distillery for my review. Thank you!

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