Episode 30: Rogue Spirits Rolling Thunder Cask Strength Stouted American Single Malt (2020 Bottling)

The Pot Still Column: Episode 30

Rogue Rolling Thunder Cask Strength Stouted American Single Malt "Hi-Time Wine Cellars"

Barrel #1 (2020)

Proof: 113.5

Age: NAS (2 to 3 Years)

Source: Rogue Spirits (Newport, Oregon)

Price: $74.99

Stouted whiskey seems to be popping up more frequently nowadays, although opinions on the beer-finished whiskey style are all over the place. Bardstown Bourbon Co. recently released a Founder's Brewing KBS Stout finished bourbon last year, and Westward has long had a stouted single malt as part of their core line. Rogue Spirits, another Oregon brewstillery primarily known for its beers, is one of the newest players in the stouted whiskey game.

Rogue takes in-house production to the next level, and regardless of their product, I have a deep respect for their dedication to the craft. The process begins with the production of Rogue's Dead Guy Whiskey, a malt product rested for two years in Oregon oak barrels made at the distillery's private cooperage. After two years, the whiskey is dumped and the barrel is repurposed to age Rogue's Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout. Once the stout is ready to roll and the barrel is properly soaked, the vessel is repurposed a third time to finish the Dead Guy Whiskey that it originally held. The result is a very obviously stout-finished malt whiskey designed with beer lovers in mind.

The nose on the Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey is bold. The profile consists of syrupy molasses, dark baking spices, oak char, and an unmistakable beer quality. If someone is looking for a subtly finished whiskey, this is not it, but anyone who enjoys stout beer will undoubtedly enjoy this as well. Beneath the sweetness, the nose contains a thin note of salty brine, making the overall presentation more savory in nature.

The taste is all stout, very dark malt, and spicy, wet wood. The woodiness doesn't taste like pure oak, but instead has a more pungent, bitter, and exciting note of exotic hardwood--- something red maybe. This tastes much like the expensive wood at Home Depot smells. I have a soft spot for beery whiskeys, but I know that many consumers find it unpleasant. What I have here is so intensely beery that it is almost more of a beer than a whiskey. That being said, the flavors are beautiful and rich, and I am enjoying the pour thoroughly. The finish is pleasantly beery as well, and lasts forever on the palate.

Closing Impression:

I very much like this stout finished malt whiskey, but I can easily see how many folks would not care for it at all. It threatens to be overly sweet, especially for those who prefer a drier whiskey, but it is nicely balanced by the complexity of the finish. The base spirit is completely overwhelmed by the stout to the point where I have no idea what it might taste like alone. While this might sound concerning, and it would be if the final product tasted bad, I am content in knowing that whatever flavors may be present in the base spirit blend exceedingly well with the Rolling Thunder finish. Another point in Rogue's favor is the transparency with which they design their labels. The entire story of how the whiskey is made is scripted on the side of the bottle, and the website provides all of the vital details about the spirit.

Would I buy this again? Hell yes! People are willing to sacrifice their first-born child to get a bottle of Bardstown's limited releases, but Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey provides an equally great (if not better) alternative, sacrifice free. For just under $80.00, Rogue's finished expression is not cheap, but I believe that the asking price is fair considering the work that has gone into its production. I don't buy backups, but if I did, I would buy a backup of this extraordinary but niche malt whiskey. For anyone who loves stout beer and enjoys straying from the beaten path, this is a bottle to find.

Nose: 91/100

Taste: 91/100

Finish: 91/100

Overall: 91/00 [Extraordinary]