Sometimes great things can happen when disaster strikes. Back in 1994 a small fire broke out in a barn that belonged to George Stranahan a beer brewer from outside of Denver. The one who came to help was Jess Graber a volunteer firefighter that not only saved the day but the two soon discovered that they share the same passion, love for outdoors and good ol’ fine Whiskey. It didn’t just stay at talk and soon after the first legal distillery in Colorado since prohibition was opened.
Taking the mountain surrounding to their advantage they not only use the pure water coming down from snowy peaks but also the Rocky Mountain Barley that delivers the smooth flavor on which they are especially proud.
The Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is aged for at least two years in new charred Oak barrels and then watered down with the water from Eldorado spring. The Whiskey itself is a blend of 2, 3 and 5 year old Whiskeys. This “Single Malt” is one of the first 100% malted Barley Whiskeys made in US out there!
What does Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Stranahan's Colorado 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
Bourbon rules refer to manufacturing methods rather than location. Bourbon must be matured in new and charred American white oak casks for at least 2 years. If the bottle has no age statement, the Bourbon is at least 4 years old. No coloring or flavoring of any type is allowed, and the mash bill must contain at least 51% corn.
One of my favorite single malts, never had a Colorado whiskey I didn't like.
Miguel,
fantastic for the price point
Jason,
Great flavor! A in your face you ain't missing this start with a kick that has a great pepper finish. I call this cowboy whiskey. It would be right at home in a leather saddle bag on horse headed across the prairie.
Bryce,
Very good whiskey.
guest,
Would buy again.
Frank,
A different taste than I normally like, more woody notes and heat
Laura,
Spicy with lots of leather
mike,
A burn, but whiskey should burn sometimes.
Michael,
One of my favorite's
Tony,
One of my favorites.
Diane,
One of my favorite non scotch browns. Its pretty smooth with a little ice and not too sweet.
Christopher,
Very "bity". Left my mouth and palate dry and burning. Definitely not worth the price. It could just be the Platte River.
Lee,
My review is on the single barrel barrel proof (116) with a dash or water to proof down. Great floral woody nose. The taste is hot that lingers a bit, It's not an unpleasant burn just lingering. Its a good caramel flavor that really wakes up as the heat is going away.
Ryan,
A new favorite among whiskeys not from south. Light but full flavored.
Brad,
Too Spicy.
Angelo,
Love Stranahan's! Scotch influence, Rocky Mountain distilled. Variety is for sure in between bottles, but you generally get cinnamon, fire (it packs the heat!) and spices. I occasionally find one that features banana flavors. Fruit and cinnamon come to the front when cutting with a few drops of water. You can't go wrong, this is a must bottle.
Erik,
The American Single Malt is a rapidly growing category, and Stranahan's is a standout.
guest,
The fire combo with the caramel and honey makes it taste like burnt sugar. Hard not drink a fifth in a sitting.
Eric,
Smooth honey, bold flavor with a strong finish.
Scott,
Smooth
Ben,
More spice than flavor
RYAN,
Incredibly smooth with a caramel undertone.
Brad,
Fiery kick in the pants if you aren’t ready for it
John,
Good taste, but more fire than I usually like.
Seth,
I love this whiskey. A staple of my brown bottle shelf. Sweet and malty but not too sweet and malty.
Nate,
Keep this little guy in my golf bag. Good Colorado whiskey.
Isaac,
Great flavor, smooth, enjoyable every night.
Cory,
As strong as their reputation is, I didn’t find this to be as enjoyable as I was expecting. It’s just ok.
Jordan,
Really enjoyed it. Introduced me to American Whiskey.
Jeramy,
Peach. Apricot and honey notes. Sweet but not too sweet. Incredibly balanced. Absolutely amazing
Abbey,
Smooth, malty, and balanced - a superb American Single Malt. Standing among peers such as Westward Single Malt, this one is my favorite.
Shawn,
Boring and not very smooth.
Chuck,
Not for my taste. I enjoy rue more than a single malt
Grant,
Feel like it used to be a lot better back in college.
Ryan,
Nose of banana and caramel, taste is more woody/oak with vanilla and caramel notes. Finish is long with medium burn. One of my go-to bourbons.
Aaron,
Dang good whiskey for Colorado!
Shannon,
Fiery finish, strong vanilla and caramel notes. Black Label (Diamond Peak) is so much better in all areas mainly because it is 2 years older.
Matthew,
Good, solid small distillery whiskey. Very drinkable neat with unique flavor.
Elizabeth,
Smoky flavor. Really good quality. Smooth finish
Chris,
Outstanding sipping whiskey, very impressed.
Charles,
I love this! The yellow labels can vary greatly as they break open 20 barrels and mix at a time to make a batch. Sometimes it might have more 3 year barrels making it a little spicier, sometimes more 4 or 5 year barrels and it is a little smoother. I have had about 8 or so bottles, each one from different batches, and each one slightly different. They are always smooth, and make some of the best Manhattans, or Old Fashioned I have had.
Michael,
I think it has lost something a few years back. It was right around the time they sold and moved the distillery. Do not get me wrong it is still a good whiskey, but it was not as worth it at the higher price point, but I have seen the prices come down and now it is more in line.
Michael,
Great taste! Wasn’t what I was expecting from this but definitely think about getting another bottle every time I drink it.
Thomas,
I love single malt scotch... I love bourbon... I didn't care for this one... I was really excited to try it and I'm pissed I wasted $60 on it.
Derrel,
Love it. Very smooth
Gerald,
I love the blend of oak, vanilla and caramel flavors from my last bottle (#16), produced just before their flagship product was for sale.
Terry,
I hate the cliche - "smooth", but this is really, fine whiskey. As Flaviar states: "...one of the first 100% malted Barley Whiskeys made in USA out there! " I completely agree. The Black label is even better.
Danny,
Slightly too sweet and malty for me. Definitely picked up on the taste of leather. Drank neat but feel like It would be better on the rocks.
Jeffrey,
Spicier than a bourbon but with a rich sweet taste like a bourbon. Chewier. Good campfire whiskey. :-)
Justin,
Very smooth malt whiskey with a sweet initial taste and very slight burn. Great served up or neat.
guest,
Single barrel. Smooth on the nose. Candy on the tongue, slight burn on the throat. Would drink neat.
Antti,
I was able to enjoy a bottle of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey Single Barrel Select, 2017. it had an outstanding, creamy, birth of barley & spice; a life of toffee, caramel & vanilla that linger on to a long death.
guest,
One of the finest whiskey's I have ever had ever found. Over ice only, it would be sacreligous to mix...add only a touch of water if you can't drink straight up!
Eric,
Hands down, all time favorite.
Alex,
This whiskey is dear to my heart being from Colorado. It is a pure malted bliss that is smooth and sweet. Rich caramel with a palate soothing leathery finish.
Alan,
Neat, on the rocks, or mixed - fantastic!
guest,
Good stuff!
guest,
Too hot
Name,
Solid offering, but the mushroomy funk can be a turn off this time of year. I'll revisit in the fall/winter.