If this bottle were made in Scotland, it would be Whisky, but since it's a product of the good old US ingenuity and made the American way, it's a Whiskey. But don't hold it against it: it still has a Scottish soul, it's just made differently. Namely they used mesquite instead of peat while smoking their malted barley. The result the Santa Fe Spirits wanted to achieve with this is a smooth and balanced complexity of flavor. By the way, mesquite is one of the most expensive woods in America and it's found in the desert. A mature tree can cost more than a grand, but it's worth all its money when creating a complex Whiskey.
Colkegan Single Malt is matured in American oak barrels for two years seven thousand feet up in the desert, more specifically in climate-controlled warehouse where temperatures range from freezing to steaming. And they ain't doing it just for fun: variations in humidity and temperature bring unprecedented complexity out of the Spirit. It's the tradition from the Old Continent and fresh ideas from the New World that made this bottle and it's not surprising that it earned the second-highest score among all American Whiskeys back in 2015.
What does Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Tennessee Whiskey closely parallels Bourbon, but final filtering through sugar-maple charcoal (called the Lincoln County Process) is what some producers say differentiates them. Tennessee Whiskey’s finish is sweeter and smoother than Bourbon.
Well balanced, heavy on the oak and smokey notes. Impressive take on traditional single malt. The temperature moderation must be the reason for the complexity of flavors. Layers of flavors.
Tad,
It is shocking to me that this NM whiskey is so good. It has been the surprise hit for our PNW whiskey gatherings. On the third bottle now and planning to keep it stocked for sure. Very pleasant and sophisticated flavor.
Paul,
Surprisingly good.
Tom,
A little more smokey than I normally like but had a very nice, smooth finish with a slightly fruity flavor.
John,
Meh
Greg,
Nice smoky mesquite flavor on the front end. Has a nice sweetness and a smooth finish
Thomas,
Nice
Zeb,
Nice Smokey pallet
Keven,
Vanilla
Jeremy,
Definitely a smoky taste if that's your thing. Went down smooth - definitely enjoyed!
Andrew,
Presents well to the nose but it overwhelms the palate.
Jeremy,
Interesting flavor, definitely smell and taste mesquite smoke here. Has a lingering, spicy finish. Would be good with BBQ for obvious reasons! Not my favorite sipper though
Dave,
Sharp bite on the front end, but smooths out afterwards. Definitely better once the ice melts a bit. I like the slightly different smokyness
Mike,
If I liked smoky spirits this would be good. It’s smooth and easy to drink, but that smoke aftertaste is too much for me,
John,
Definitely my favorite from this years Advent calendar. The use of the mesquite smoke makes it a very interesting change from the usual peated style of Scotch.
benjamin,
A smooth, sweet finishing whiskey. One of the more unique flavors I’ve had lately.
Jason,
Smoky and spicy. Burns down the chest. Good flavor but not my favorite.
Tim,
Unique smoke taste, with a drop of water really opens up.
mike,
Smoky smell. Smooth taste
Richard,
No thanks
Too Smokey...,,
Edward,
Got this in a tasting box. Son-in-law and I both tried it. We're both single malt Scotch drinkers - he likes a more "peaty" taste than I, but we agreed on this one. Tastes reminds me of mouthwash. Little nose. Just doesn't cut it for either of us.
Louise,
With water, this whiskey’s floral and berry notes come out.
David,
I am in awe of the mesquite peat smoke on the front and throughout. The body and finish were smooth and woody with a slight fruit flavor
Joshua,
Smoky, spicy, with a hint of herbal sweetness in the finish. Feels like a Highland take on a rye whisky. Very nice.
Matthew,
This one is pretty good. It's pretty smoky, which I like in scotches. It's different though, probably because of the Mesquite smoke. Overall, I liked it because it's familiar, but just a little unique.
Neil,
very pleasantly surprised after the smell
Alexandria,
Unlike any other whiskey I’ve ever tasted or smelled, therefore why I like it. It does taste lite, however there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what you have a flavor for.
Lawrence,
Just lite
Michael,
I haven’t been a huge fan of other American single malt whiskies so I was not expecting to like this, but it’s actually pretty good! The nose is aggressive, but the taste is interesting but smooth. Notes of chocolate and floral with a little bit of spice. Definitely interested in having this again!
David,
Smoky with vanilla and fruit
Jeff,
Pleasantly surprised - smoky, not overly sweet - long finish. A really nice pour!
Levi,
Not a bad attempt at making a Scotch ‘ish American Whiskey. I enjoyed the Smoky start and warm finish.
Kevin,
Really nice whiskey, smokier than most Americans. Would expect nothing less from our friends in New Mexico. Trying to figure out if it pairs better w Green Sauce, or Red Sauce
Randy,
Best American Whiskey I ever had...very close to an Islay Scotch.
Nathan,
Advent #15. Was better the second time I tried it but was still too smoky for me.
Terry,
Get the smoke and soap
Tad,
Shockingly good. Who would have thought a rich, smooth and ultra-pleasant drinking Whiskey would com from NM. I mean seriously... Thanks Flaviar for exposing us to new and unexpected surprises.
Nicholas,
This one caught me off guard nicely. Very sweet, scotchy nose, but distinct smoke brewing underneath as well in addition to some chocolate. Very woody on the palate - a bit too much that takes away from it a bit - but the notes of currants are really nice and pleasant and best of all the smokey flavor does a great job of working with the other flavors instead of overtaking them. The lingering aftertaste is the best part - nice sweet raspberry, with some light tones of the mesquite wood itself.
Jordan,
Tremendous! Sweet on the front end, but the smoke comes in on the back - but never overpowers. Really easy. Would be an excellent introduction for someone who is concerned about a "smokey" whiskey.
Molly,
Love this! To me it has the smoother, sweet notes on the friend end and then the smokiness kicks in with the mesquite taste.
Frank,
(Advent 2020, #15) In the nose I get smoke with a little vanilla. Tasting it I get a bit of a bite with some smoke and something else that's secondary. There's a lingering finish but I'm unsure how much I like it.
Todd,
Preferred this one with no water. Not terribly smoky. Floral. Some fruit. Not bad but don’t need a bottle.
Robert,
Surprisingly good. Tasted like chocolate
Matthew,
Did the first tasting blind and thought it was a lightly peated scotch. Not an overwhelming smoke, almost a barbecue flavor with hints of fruit and vanilla. The mesquite punches through, giving it a unique nose and finish. Very enjoyable.
Guy,
Love the smoky flavor with the touch of sweetness and spice
Dustin,
Smoky and warm, many different flavors. I think I need more of this
Tracy,
Really interesting mixture of smoke, wood, and fruit - a hint of sweetness and vanilla as well, though it does have a little more burn than I’d like (even though I tried it with a splash of water)
Paul,
Fruit and spice on the front, smoke punch on the back. Really nice.
Andrew,
Smoky and complex with many notes including raspberry and cereals. Would buy a bottle.
Jason,
Very nice. I enjoyed the smoke balanced with a little sweetness. Only complaint is the lingering bite on the tongue.
Brady,
Solid flavor and good bite to it. Best sipped neat. I would get this again.
Mark,
Best American malt I think I’ve had. Complex, a bit of smoke, sweet and grain harmoniously intertwined, clean finish, no off notes. Very impressed. A happy surprise.
Thomas,
Very nice. The mesquite is present but controlled. Certainly young, giving it a lack of complexity and a bit of a burning finish.
Mike,
The combo of a US whiskey and the smoke threw me, but consider me all in on a mesquite smoked Scotch style whiskey.
James,
best nose of the Advent month so far; vanilla and marzipan evident; smooth and sweet taste -definitely worth buying bottle
James,
Impressive and complex, but too much burn
The sweet cherry vanilla cream nose gives way to an upfront shot of smoke in the mouth, transitioning to woody spice and a hint of chocolate.
I found the alcohol burn a bit harsh neat, some water mellowed that out nicely. I'd like to try this after more time in the barrel.
Derek,
Black currant and a hint of white chocolate on the nose. Smoke on the palate with a pleasant, lingering finish of raspberry. As others have commented, it’s definitely more of a mesquite smokiness than a peaty one.
I felt like the flavors - though well balanced - were a little more subtle than I would have preferred. Perhaps better if it had been aged longer? Feels like a good one that maybe could have been very good.
Matthew,
I actually like this one a lot. The malt is unmistakable on the nose, along with a smoke and sweet combination that makes me think of barbeque. The body beings berries and vanilla and an ashiness that lingers pleasantly on the tongue.
I was unsurprised to discover the grains were smoked with mesquite. A definitively American take on a malt whiskey.
Adam,
This is really nice, with a light vanilla flavor and unique smoky flavor up front, followed by some berry. Great mouthfeel. Nice lingering burn.
Mike,
I dig it. To me, there’s less smoke and more currant and vanilla, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Very much an American whisky.
Jesse,
Way to smokey
Kris,
Nice nose but something about the smoke and the other flavors didn't work for me.
Michael,
Pleasantly surprised! The flavors vary greatly from a sweet and savory mesquite smoked bbq to a fragrant floral note. There’s also butterscotch sweetness and some fruitiness with a creamy rounded consistency. This Whiskey strikes the balance between American and Scottish Single Malts.
Will,
Got in a sampler and fell in love. Amazing!!!
Andrew,
The smoke accents the flavor without being overpowering. A nice single malt
Daniel,
Advent 2020 #15 - the smoke/peat is pretty powerful but tapers off so hints of sweetness come through on the backend. I wouldn't buy a bottle but I wouldn't turn it down if offered.
Scott,
Best of the trio. Nice smokey taste, but fruity taste and very very smooth. I wouldn’t call it overly complex to get past that “6” rating, but quite drinkable.
Rick,
Impressed - best of the group of tastings. Complex and clean
Keith,
Smooth
Kevin,
This was an enjoyable dram. The sharp, acrid quality of the mesquite smoke was immediately noticeable - it's a love-or-hate thing, more so than peat. The smoke was nicely balanced out by the light, sweet vanilla and fruit notes.
Nicholas,
Well balanced, not too sweet, smell was deceptive.
John,
Very smooth.
Max,
Excellent. Smokey and smooth.
John,
Great flavor. I find the Smokey notes to be a little harsh for me. The raspberry and white chocolate are quite enjoyable.
Daniel,
Slightly sweet smokey and spicy. Ice tempers the smoke so some of the other profiles come out (floral and vanilla).
Ericka,
A little “hot” on the nose. Mild flavor with some nice spice to it. Needs a little more body.
Jamie,
Very good but hard to put a finger on. I’d say that makes it very complex
Darren,
Lots of smoke at the beginning then some interesting after taste
Duane,
Reminded me of a lightly peated Speyside. Taste of fruit, vanilla and long finish. Best of the tasting box for me. Would definitely buy a bottle.
David,
Okay, this is good, but not great. Wanted something a little more smoky, but hey, that’s just me. For the price, you can do better.
James,
Totally amazed that something this good came from New Mexico! It is now my favorite single malt whisky.
Scott,
Smokey single malt goodness
Jim,
Interesting first impression, a bit musty with the smoke to start. But a nice chocolate and vanilla middle leading to a pleasant finish with a bit of fruit. Best of the tasting box. Would buy it again.
Leigh,
Very well done! The raspberry and malt flavors work perfectly with the well balanced smokiness.
Ben,
Delicious
Dan,
A little mesquite influenced smoke is readily apparent on the nose, but not as predominant as I had anticipated. A barbecue-like smoke mingling with sweet toffee, vanilla and some savory herbal elements.
The mesquite smoke is present on first sip, but more as a complement than as a primary element. I find sweet notes of chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel as well as some earthy fruit sensations. There is a bit of warmth, perhaps delicately peppered. I am struck by the balance.
The finish is medium, with a bit of raspberry, toffee and smoke. Again, the mesquite smoke is present, but not dominant.
I like both the taste profile and the price of this whiskey.
Matt,
This one was interesting, but not enjoyable. Wouldn't buy.
David,
Smoke level was pleasant and the whiskey had a pretty good structure throughout. Liked the slightly sweet/fruity notes at the end, and would have liked if they could have been more prevalent. Not bad at all.
Steven,
Not sure that mesquite works with whiskey. Clean finish, but no discernible fruit.
Brian,
Like the initial kick and the flavorful finish. Will purchase this one in the future. Best in the box.
Mark,
You can definitely taste the mesquite, and fruit flavors. The alcohol burns a little in the mouth. Overall a nice whiskey
Alex,
Pretty good. It can be a little harsh at first with the alcohol burn, but it's smokey like a single malt scotch would be. Using mesquite is interesting and you can pick up on it in the first few seconds of tasting. Pretty light mouthfeel, and if you add a few drops of water it will really smooth it out.
Teraesa,
Favorite of the box! Delicious notes of white chocolate and vanilla.
Nicholas,
Apparently I’m not a single malt guy. Personally, did not enjoy.
Steve,
Well it didn't suck and it's cheap compared to good scotch. But it's a small single malt--doesn't even seem the 92 proof they claim. If you happen to have a bottle on hand, and you've decided to have a third dram on the night, I guess this wouldn't be a horrible choice.
Doug,
Very much like a scotch but I have had better scotch for much less $$.
Stephen,
All I got was smoke. If you like a smokey whiskey, this is for y0u.
Zach,
Good flavor that has an interesting after taste..
Jay,
I felt this was an alcohol forward whiskey. I did not feel the smokiness or white chocolatier which I was looking for. I would put this on my list of drinkable whiskeys but I would not seek it out
Chad,
Smooth, Smokey, but not overpowered by the Smokey ness. Smooth finish with no burn. Great whiskey for sitting by the campfire.
Mitch,
Love the smoky aroma and the white chocolate flavor.
Joel,
Not a fan of such prominent smokey flavors, but reasonably smooth for something with this much smoke / heat. Got it in the tasting box...will finish the sample, but would not buy.
Ryan,
Just OK
Matthew,
The caramel that hits you’re nose is intoxicating. Great mouthfeel drinking this neat, add a drop or two of water and it’s aroma is increased.
Jim,
Smokey
Chris,
The nose is really sweet. I smelled birthday cake frosting with maybe a tiny hint of meyer lemon. The flavor is really smokey with a lot of alcohol heat. The smoke seems to come more from barrel char than the peat smoke flavor you get from a true scotch. Once you get past the smoke and alcohol heat you really can taste some classic American bourbon flavors like vanilla and white chocolate. There is a teeny tiny bit of floral undertones but you have to spend more than ten minutes with this glass before you will pick up on them because of the big smoke-, heat-, and vanilla-dominant notes upfront.
Its clearly a blend of American Bourbon and Scotch styles. It is OK at both, but not great at either. Not worth $64 for a bottle in my opinion.
John,
The smoke came through from the start with an earthy taste added. The black currant was a detractor for me personally. I never tasted the vanilla or white chocolate, hats off to those who do.
Dj,
I get more of a char versus smoke but it is there. A little spice with vaniila, floral and major chocolate! Tasty Whiskey.
Jonathan,
Definitely liked the marriage of smoke and flavor. Very good with cheesecake.
Cliff,
Good
Ray,
I liked this very much. The smokiness from the hickory came through nicely.
Ronald,
Real mellow on nose , tasted smoke ,woody ,malted barley ,floral
Over all it's okey
John,
peat, chocolate, touch of smoke
Eric,
I can get down with this. Good front and middle flavor that’s enhanced with a drop of water.
Sven,
First sniff provides wonderful barley undertones followed by a waft of smoky peat. Really looking forward to the sip... First sip blasts my taste buds with the deep, dark woods where only the gruffalo play.
Christopher,
Decent! Not sure I’d buy a whole bottle, but someone will enjoy it!
John,
This is the best one out of the tasting box but still just the six
Logan,
The smell is definitely white chocolate and vanilla bean with some smoky and woody scents.
The taste starts sweet and chocolatey and then the wood comes through. Delicious.
Geoffrey,
My favorite from the tasting box. The smokiness is nicely mellowed out by a host of other flavors. Best bouquet of the three. All around a pleasant drink.
Kelly,
I didn't find this overly smoky. The white chocolate, marzipan, and vanilla were the top notes for me. Sweet and pleasant, grows on you with each sip. I'd love to taste a longer-aged version.
David,
Quit spicy and smoky. But very nice.
Thomas,
Absolutely love the mesquite smoke alongside some of the fruitier and caramel notes. Delicious.
Charles,
Favorite from the tasting box. Nice aroma nice finish
Sylvia,
I like the spice, vanilla and light peat combination. The spice smooths out when you add ice, but I like it either way.
Nikki,
My first taste was slightly overpowering, but as it sat in my mouth I could taste a fruity note and then a nice balanced smoky flavor. It gave a better balanced flavor as the ice melted and cooled the liquor and the cold water brought out some different profiles that made it more enjoyable.
Richard,
Very hot. Was expecting a smoother whiskey. You will need to cut this with water or soda
Amy,
Marizpan is not my thing.
Tripp,
Great flavor. A taste of oak but not too much. Light cinnamon and fruit after notes. Well balanced.
Charles,
Smoky flavor but goes down easy
Chris,
This was what I was expecting from a single malt whiskey. I had this in a tasting kit and after my disappointment in Copper Fox this renewed my faith in the single malt whiskey. This has a very even smoky flavor that still allows the other notes to show themselves in each new sip. This had a broad range of tastes that can only truly be enjoyed slowly.
Karen,
Smooth, with a light smoky flavor. It has a sweet finish.
Robert,
Loved the smoke. It was like drinking by a campfire on a cool fall night. The currents and sweets made for an excellent finish. If you add a touch of water it brings the sweet forward on the tongue, like the last sip of a mint julep. A very friendly whiskey.
Michael,
Too smoky for my preference, but had a good finish
Daniel,
Delicious. A hint of smoke, Oakley, very drinkable
Victor,
I didn’t get much smoke but liked the mouthfeel and finish. Good mix of floral, fruit, and marzipan. My favorite from the New World Single Malt tasking box.
Jacob,
Tasting the mesquite is pretty cool.
Chris,
Has a smokey woody aroma. The taste slight floral with a medium woody taste. And with a malted barley finish. My second favorite.
Doron,
Nice and smooth
William,
This is a good whiskey. Don't tell me about the mesquite smoke and I might rate this one star up because there just wasn't that much smoke. It's great in an Old Fashioned, but the lack of smoke just didn't work for me. Good whiskey, just not a great whiskey at the price.
Daniel,
Goes down smooth, with a sweet bite as a finish.
Bruce,
Nutty, spicy with notes of vanilla and almond. It’s a taste punch at the start and a quick decline with a very minimal tail.
Alex,
The vanilla is the most prominent in the profile, the smokiness also compliments it. Unfortunately, while I did enjoy it, I cannot say I loved it.
Chris,
Smooth sweat flavor with a little smokey.
Angela,
Vanilla nose and smooth through. I didn't get the smoky flavor as much as others.
Stanley,
Very nice. Drank it next to my Macallan & Laphroaig. The mesquite is smokey, but much more approachable than the peat of the Islay Has some of the florals of the Highland. A nice balance; purchased a bottle of it. My friends will never guess.
Antti,
It is an outstanding, balanced, 'American Single Malt Whiskey with a rich birth; while a complex life leads to a balanced death of medium length with notes of raspberry & malted barley.
Mark,
Love the smoky flavor and the smooth finish. Very nice nose. I may have to add this to my home bar.
Alex,
Super unique! Starts off feeling very Irish, then brings in that smoke. But it’s way more brisket-y smoke than any whiskey (except Balcones Brimstone) and still subtle enough to not blow any other flavors away. Definitely worth trying, especially if you already like peated whiskies, the smoke won’t totally throw you off
Taylor,
Smoky and smooth. Scotchlike.
Bobby,
Good for an after dinner cordial
Greg,
I really like this scotch! Fairly mild on the nose but complex taste with a hint of smoke. Just the right amount of spice!
Ken,
Nice smooth smoky flavor that is not overpowering. Described as "honest" by my oldest son when we had a tasting. He nailed it. It starts and finishes smooth, nice flavor. The amount of smoke is nice.
chris,
smokey and spicy
Sunnylee,
Nondescript. Average run of the mill . Drink alone. Not to impress.
Patrick,
Vanilla nose and smooth through. I didn't get the smoky flavor as much as others.
Alex,
If I were to do a blind taste test, and have to guess what this was, I would pick Scotch every time. Very complex and smooth with a light smoky sweetness.
Paul,
Fitting a NM whiskey would be Very peppery and spicey on the nose and finish; over ice brings out more sweetness and takes the harshness out. Not as Smokey as I thought. Pretty good.
James,
Nice smoky flavor but I prefer peat over mesquite.
Austin,
Sweet and smoky, but very alcohol forward.
Paul,
I am a big scotch fan. And this american whiskey is nice. Some complexity with a nice heat.
Alex,
It’s slightly too sweet for my taste but probably would be just fine for someone who likes highland scotches. Mesquite smoke adds a subtle interesting flavor, which comes through even more in the aftertaste.
Stephen,
Sweet, slightly floral taste. Mild nose, with a buttery middle and a mild finish. Nothing lingering too long, slightly malty finish.
Ross,
Of the 3 samples of "New World Single Malt", this was my favorite. Actually ordered a bottle of it through Flaviar the next night. The "wood smoke" sold it for me.....along with the warmth, sweetness, and baking spices. The finish is super long, and sweet ...maple syrup, burnt caramel, and hint of spice. Excellent after dinner by a fire.
Brian,
Strong and smoky, but added just a drop of water and it smoothed out nicely.
Jon,
This is one of my absolute favorite whiskeys. It's like a southwest scotch given the malted barley and non-peat smoke. It's very different from peat smokiness, but very warming and subtle enough to sip. Colkegan also has this same whiskey finished in their apple brandy casks that is EVEN BETTER!
Mike,
A little clumsy with lots of naked alcohol, but love the big smoke.
David,
I'm fairly convinced thanks mesquite doesn't belong in a single make whiskey. I've had this on some decent cocktails but it is not a sipper. Way too much smoke that doesn't balance well with the single malt sweetness.
Derek,
Really really enjoyed this one. Going to look into buying a bottle. I’ve found I enjoy smoke but not spice, and this was my favorite of the three in the “new world single malt” tasting kit. Pleasant sweetness, especially after a touch of water.
Greg,
Pleasantly surprising after the B selection. Flavor spiral seems attuned. Milk or white chocolate upfront with sweet smoke behind it. Floral, vanilla and sweet fruit follow for a smooth semi-dry finish. This compares favorably to highland malt finished in sherry cask. Price point seems fair. Will likely add to home bar in near future.
David,
Very nice whisky. I like the subtle smoke.
ANDREW,
Very smooth
Laura,
Very smooth and tasty
Matt,
Very syrupy mouthfeel. Good neat or on rocks!
Colleen,
Couldn’t appreciate the smoke at all. I thought it was mislabeled.
Kathryn,
Super smooth, caramel flavors, and very easy to drink.
Back
