US Craft Whiskey, II: Far North Oklon/Hazlet, French Lick Bourbons, Dad’s Hat Rye for Club Marzipan

Earlier this week I reviewed a bunch of US craft whiskies on the weirder end of things and had a lot of fun with them (   • US Craft Whiskey, I: Ransom "Emerald," Son...   ). Today we're doing five more which are theoretically more "normal," or as normal as those maniacs in our more recent distilleries ever get. We've got some single varietal ryes from Far North from Minnesota (who I constantly think are in Europe for some reason), French Lick (of Old Clifty hazmat apple brandy fame    • Yet More Apple Brandy for July 4: Laird's ...   ) returns with some bourbons, and one of my favorite whiskies from last year - namely, Dad's Hat cask strength (   • 2 Pennsylvania Ryes (+a Maryland interlope...   ) - returns in new pick form. Let's go:

Far North Spirits Oklon Single Varietal Rye Whiskey (Hallock, MN; 95% Oklon Rye and 5% Oklon Rye Malt, hybrid pot distilled, aged in 15L barrels 2/23 to 8/24; 47% ABV), 84👶/100
Far North Spirits Hazlet Bottled in Bond Single Varietal Rye Whiskey (Hallock, MN; 95% Hazlet Rye and 5% Hazlet Rye Malt, hybrid pot distilled, aged in 53g barrels 4/20 to 2/25; 50% ABV), 86-/100 [NB, I thought this was the standard Hazlet when I recorded this, not the one in standard barrels... sorry! -S]
Spirit of French Lick Mattie Gladden Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey (West Baden Springs, IN; 55% corn, 35% rye, and 10% Victory malt, double pot distilled, 4 years old; 50% ABV), 86/100
Spirit of French Lick Lee W. Sinclair Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey (West Baden Springs, IN; 60% corn, 17% wheat, 13% oats, and 10% caramel malt, double pot distilled, 4 years old; 50% ABV), 86+/100
Dad’s Hat Single Barrel Cask Strength Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey, Cask No.56 for Club Marzipan (Bristol, PA; 80% rye, 15% malted barley, 5% malted rye, aged 10/30/18 to 10/30/24, 6 years old; 64% ABV), 88/100

The Far Norths are very different and very fun, but also both feel like they need more time and maybe some standard barrels (especially the Oklon). Well worth a grab if you see them at a good price. The French Licks are a bit more conventional, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're not worth your time: the Mattie Gladden will absolutely steal hearts from the Old Grand Dad/Bulleit high rye crowd, while the Sinclair basically tastes like the best wheater that no wheater fan would intentionally seek out. And the Dad's Hat is just phenomenal, a high proof amaro for rye fans, albeit not quite as good as the one from last year. So, next week... cognacs, maybe?

Extra special thanks to my Different Spirits on Patreon (  / differentspirits  ) -

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