Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt Review

Stillman’s Sonder
10 Year American Single Malt
American Single Malt Whiskey
96.4 Proof
SRP: $70 / 700 mL
Review

Please enjoy my Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt Review!

A Single Malt from Dancing Goat Distillery and the Maas Family

Stillman’s Sonder is a whiskey brand from Dancing Goat Distillery in Cambridge, Wisconsin. It honors the work of stillman Duane Maas, whose son Tom and grandson Nick have continued the family’s work in spirits. The lineup includes a bourbon, which I have already reviewed, and the American single malt I am tasting here.

Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt began with whiskey distilled at MGP in Indiana and aged in Wisconsin. The whiskey was distilled during a time when MGP was performing a series of exploratory test runs. A number of these test barrels of whiskey went unused, and the Maas family acquired some of those barrels. This American Single Malt was one of those whiskeys. After initial maturation, it underwent three rounds of blending, re-barreling and finishing utilizing five different cask types.

Details — Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt Review

• Brand: Stillman’s Sonder, from Dancing Goat Distillery
• Whiskey: Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt
• Type: American Single Malt Whiskey
• Distilled By: MGP in Indiana
• Aged In: Wisconsin
• Age: 10 years
• Production: Three rounds of blending, re-barreling and finishing after initial maturation
• Cask Types: Virgin oak, ex-bourbon, Wisconsin brandy, Cognac and Calvados
• Proof: 96.4
• ABV: 48.2%
• SRP: $70 / 700 mL
• Availability: Through the brand’s website and at select U.S. retailers
• Single Barrels: Limited single-barrel selections are also available

Tasting Notes — Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Full and mildly to moderately sweet; honey, caramel; raisins, prunes, dark berries, hints of apple, mild malty graininess; tart orange citrus in the background; hint of oak and floral notes; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Mildly sweet with dark berries, mild tannins, caramel, honey, hints of sweet apples, mild oak, mild maltiness, tart orange citrus
👉🏻 Finish: Lingering dark berries, mild tart orange citrus, touch of apple; increasingly dry with tannins and capsaicin spice later on with subtle brandy and Cognac notes; fairly long, with lingering spice and mild barrel char later on

Rich Fruit and Caramel Give Way to a Drier, Spicier Finish

The nose of Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt is full-bodied and mildly to moderately sweet, with balanced dried fruits and dark berries, as well as hints of floral notes and contrasting tart citrus. Although it’s 10 years old, there is only mild oak. As time goes on, the dark berries and sweet, rich caramel become more dominant.

The taste has some similar flavors to the nose, although it is only mildly sweet, with some tannins now present, as well as tart orange citrus providing a contrast.

Heading into the finish, the sweet dark berries fade, while mild tart orange citrus and hints of sweet apples continue. The mouthfeel becomes increasingly dry, with tannins and some capsaicin spice developing later on. At the end, there is lingering spice as well as mild barrel char. While the finish is fairly long, it is of fairly mild intensity, particularly compared with the full-bodied flavors in the nose.

The sweet apples are presumably coming from the Calvados casks. Some of the other fruit flavors may also be due to the brandy and Cognac casks, although some are probably coming from the malt and possibly the yeast as well. The only time I taste somewhat more distinct Cognac, and possibly Wisconsin brandy, notes is in the finish.

A Complex, Layered Single Malt with Plenty of Fruit

Overall, I am very much enjoying Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt. It has an interesting progression from a full-bodied, richer nose to a somewhat drier, spicier and even mildly smoky finish. I suppose the complexity and fruit come from both the malt and the variety of barrels being used. It has layered flavors as well, with the dark berries and sweet apples becoming increasingly evident throughout the sip.

If you enjoy a complex, layered single malt with plenty of fruit but a somewhat drier and spicier finish, then this is one you will want to try. Have you tried Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year American Single Malt Review! Next, read my Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year Bourbon Review, then explore two more American single malts in my Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey 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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