Episode 33: Clyde May's [Conecuh Ridge Distillery] 13 Year Limited Release Alabama Style Whiskey

The Pot Still Column:: Episode 33

Clyde May's 13 Year Alabama Style Whiskey

Batch: Limited Release (2021)

Proof: 120

Age: 13 Years

Finish: Dried Apples

Source: MGP (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)

Price: $139.99

I first heard of Clyde May's whiskey when I saw a glowing review of their 13-year cask strength bourbon. When I saw this bottle on the shelf at a local liquor chain, I bought it without hesitation, thinking it was the same bourbon that I had seen reviewed. As it turns out, it is not the same whiskey, nor is it bourbon at all. Nonetheless, it is quite the tasty pour.

While Clyde May's does have a selection of bourbon whiskeys, the bottle at hand is a finished style of spirit that they have dubbed "Alabama Style Whiskey." As the story goes, Clyde May was a guy who made whiskey, and he developed a method of finishing American whiskey by placing dried apples in the aging barrels. I don't care much for distillery stories (which are far more heinous than fishermen's tales) so I won't discuss it further. The modern legacy of the alleged historical event is Clyde May's Alabama Style Whiskey, a product of Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

While there is zero doubt that this 13-year old whiskey is sourced from MGP of Indiana, Clyde May's has recently broken ground on a brand new distillery and home base in Troy, Alabama. Based on press releases from last year (2022), it seems that the company plans to begin in-house distillation alongside their sourcing program. The first batch of genuine Clyde May's distillate is projected to hit shelves in 2027, hinting at a commitment to breaching the 4-year mark for their inaugural release.

Before I begin, I must admit that I have always thought of Clyde May's whiskey as a shelf-turd item. For those who need clarification, that means that I considered it to be a whiskey that is consistently passed over in the search for other, better whiskeys. With so many multicolored variations and a name as suspicious as "Alabama Style Whiskey," it seemed like nothing more than a bottom-shelf newbie-magnet. For all I know, the rest of their product line may very well be just that, but it is difficult to consider anything with a 13-year age statement a "shelf turd."

Fortunately, turds do not appear on the nose. Instead, I am met with classic bourbon notes that lean heavily toward the scents found in light whiskeys such as those bottled by Obtainium of Cats Eye Distillery. I normally enjoy light whiskey, identifiably by its strong, brittle vanilla notes, and this is no exception. Most light whiskey on the market is either Canadian or from MGP, so I am not surprised that I recognize the scents in this particular glass of sourced MGP. While the addition of apples prevents this Alabama Style Whiskey from being labeled as a bourbon, I suspect that no bourbon went into its production regardless. The characteristic brightness of the whiskey suggests that it may be nothing more than a light whiskey from MGP. Other scents present in the nose include butterscotch and, yes...dried apple slices.

The flavors closely resemble an Indiana light whiskey as well, aligning closely with the smell. The texture is viscous and sugary, interacting with the entire palate and burning a little bit on the back. Interestingly, the the caramel and vanilla flavors slip away on the finish, leaving behind a slightly medicinal cherry note. I am not sure if I like that particular element of the experience. Something about the finish and flavor is a bit bitter and astringent, leaving me slightly uncomfortable at the end of each sip. The flavors themselves are excellent, and I thoroughly enjoy the way that the caramels and vanillas play nicely with the apple notes.

Closing Impression:

The overall profile is very sweet, landing this firmly in the dessert whiskey category, but it would likely be a crowd pleaser. There is nothing foreign or mysterious about this whiskey, and it will likely land in many consumers' comfort zones because of its origins at MGP of Indiana. Commercially speaking, this is quite good, although it doesn't tickle my palate the way I hoped it would. Several friends of mine have thrown their support behind this whiskey, so it clearly appeals to at least a small portion of the market. The flavors are pleasant but wither away prematurely, leaving the finish bitter and medicinal. Because of the high retail price, I can confidently say that this whiskey is not worth the splurge, but it is definitely a fun spirit to try at a bar or share with friends.

Nose: 72/100

Taste: 75/100

Finish: 71/100

Overall: 73/100