For instance, the elusive and rarely seen OYO Whiskey from Middle West Spirits. As previously mentioned, I’m a big fan of their vodka, and was bummed to miss out on a release party for their whiskey in April. As I learned the hard way, Facebook is preferred over the rarely updated website (but which still has a cool design and interesting drink recipes—check it out) for updating Middle West’s ravenous fan base. Tickets for the event sold out quicker than a Bieber/Gaga double bill.
So it was with much haste that I drove down to the distillery after receiving a Facebook notice that whiskey batch number two was now for sale. I snapped up three bottles—apologies to those who missed out, but fine spirits bring out the ruthless in me. If I recall correctly, a bottle will set you back around $45, and they should start showing up on store shelves soon. Take solace in the fact that those three bottles got spread around: one was swapped for a nifty bottle of Elmer T Lee bourbon recently procured on a Bourbon Trail trip by fellow drinking aficionado AC. The other went to my dad. Feel the whiskey love…
As for the precious liquid itself, the results are mixed. The big coconut and vanilla hit from the oak certainly complements the crème brulee house character, but there’s a hard pencil shaving flavor in the middle that dominates. The finish is dry, woody and orange pulp like. I’ve found that wood shaving note diminished a little on further tastings, and it makes a nice manhattan, but the boys may have rushed this one out a bit too quickly to satisfy the clamor from their horde of followers.
