Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review

Southern Star
American Single Malt Whiskey
Cask Strength
114.8 Proof
Southern Distilling Company
SRP: $49.95 / 375ml Bottle
Review

Please enjoy our Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review!

Background – Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review

Southern Distilling Company, founded in 2013 by Pete and Vienna Barger, has reestablished Statesville, North Carolina’s long-standing connection to whiskey production. The family-owned distillery has become one of the nation’s largest privately owned producers, sourcing grains from local farms and managing every stage of production on-site. While Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey is the company’s first single malt under its own label, the distillery has produced single malts for more than a decade and was the first contract distiller to offer bulk American Single Malt Whiskey in 2024. That experience is now reflected in this six-year, 114.8-proof release.

Details – Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review

• Type: American Single Malt Whiskey
• Distilled & Bottled: In-house at Southern Distilling Company, Statesville, North Carolina
• Age: 6 Years
• Proof / ABV: 114.8 Proof (57.4% ABV) (Cask Strength)
• Release: Limited edition
• Availability: Began September 19 at Southern Distilling Company’s Tasting Room (211 Jennings Road, Statesville, NC); rolling out to North Carolina ABC stores in the following weeks
• Notable: Southern Distilling Company received ADI’s 2025 Distillery of the Year (Bubble Cap Award)
• More Information: SouthernDistillingCompany.com

Tasting Notes – Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻 Nose: The nose is fruit forward with canned peaches, mildly tart orange citrus, and light honey. Sweet dark cherries become increasingly evident, on a background of mild toasty malt graininess. The alcohol vapor is quite mild for the 114.8 proof.
👉🏻 Taste: There is an explosion of fruit flavors up front, with sweet peaches, sweet banana candy, and tart orange peel leading the way. Dark cherries again become more noticeable with each sip, while mild toasty malt graininess and a hint of astringency develop later on.
👉🏻 Finish: Sweet fruit fades as the mouthfeel becomes increasingly dry, with growing black pepper spice that lingers, but is without excessive heat. The long finish continues with mild dry wood, toasted malt, and barrel char, lasting pleasant spice and mixed fruit notes. I am left with a deep warmth.

Summary – Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review

The nose is fruit forward, but yet those flavors remain somewhat subdued compared to the explosion of fruit that greets the palate. A mild toasty malt grainess runs throughout the sip, a gentle reminder of the malted barley from whence this whiskey came. Nonetheless, the malt is not at all overbearing. The finish shifts toward a drier, spicier character with a touch of barrel char, offering a nice contrast to the sweetness and fruit up front. Still, a bit of mixed fruit lingers through to the end.

Conclusion – Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review

I am really enjoying this whiskey! The pronounced fruit flavors combined with just the right amount of spice, toasted malt, and dryness make for a delicious pour. I will note that the fruit character developed more fully after the bottle had been open for a couple of days—but it was well worth the wait. If you are a fan of fruit-forward single malts, this is definitely one you’ll want to try.

Have you tried Southern Star Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Review! Learn more about the distillery in our interview with co-founder Pete Barger! Next, why not read these related articles: Southern Star Double Rye Review, Southern Distilling Unveils Statesville Contract Distilling, Southern Star Paragon Bourbon Review and Cedar Ridge Pete & Sherri Married 2nd Anniversary Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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