…..After spending a week recovering from the New Year haze, we’re back with our first Review of the year. We recently received a sample of Winter Park Distillery’s “Bear Gully Classic” corn whiskey, a local favorite here in Central Florida. If when you hear the term corn whiskey you immediately think of the prohibition era and moonshine don’t worry, you’re not alone. Moonshine, Corn Whiskey, White Dog, White Lightning, Gourmet Whiskey; Call it what you want, but don’t call it a “fad”. In fact what many thought was just the latest trend in alcohol (Think Sweet Tea Vodka), is actually growing leaps and bounds and becoming widely available at your local package stores, usually somewhere on the top shelf. Enter Winter Park Distillery, Orlando’s own artisanal distillery, who offers (along with several other spirits) their own hand crafted corn whiskey. I was lucky enough to meet with Paul Twyford, President of WP Distillery and learn a bit more about corn whiskeys as well as have the opportunity to sample their product.
Presentation: Bear Gully Classic comes in your standard 750 ml bottle and if overlooked, could easily pass for a vodka. One thing that should be noted is that it’s 750 ml sizing option is an advantage considering several of its competitors offer a smaller quantity for double the price. It’s labeling offers a simple yet classic variation of the Winter Park Distillery logo and the bottle itself is hand numbered, a nice and authentic touch that every micro distillery should offer.
Taste: I’ll be the first to admit that white whiskies are not exactly my go to spirit so a bit of research had to go into giving this one a try. Armed with several other brands that varied in size and price – Buffalo Trace White Dog, Hudson New York Whiskey, Death’s Door White Whiskey, and Georgia Moon – I set out on a journey to discover the good, the bad, and the ugly of white whiskies. The first thing you’ll notice is the strong nose that hits you when you open the bottle. It isn’t called “corn” whiskey for nothing. I’ve noticed the nose of a white whiskey can vary GREATLY from product to product but this one gives you just enough sweet corn aroma so that you know what you’re drinking, but doesn’t completely overwhelm you with a slap in the nostrils.
There’s only two spirits I love to sip warm and straight, one being rum, the other being whiskey. So even after being warned that white wiskey is a love it or hate it kind of spirit that usually has a harsh bit, I had to give this a try. In a blind taste test between this and 4 other competing brands, I actually graded this as my second favorite. Considering the price tag of the three brands that Bear Gully Classic surpassed – 31.99/750ml, 17.99/375ml, 19.99/750ml – I’d say BGC is winner. If you’re wondering what types of drinks can you make with a white whiskey, don’t forget it can be used as a substitute in several classic whiskey cocktails. The exotic corn aroma and flavor can sometimes lead to overwhelming the intended flavors of some whiskey cocktails, but if done right you can actually add a nice twist to a few favorites.
Grade: B+
Price: $19.99
Overall: Bear Gully Classic might just be one of my new favorite whiskies to show off to the rest of the nerds in my drinking circle. It offers a unique combination of flavor and aroma that not many in its category are able to do. Offering a smooth finish without the harsh bite, an intensely sweet yet not overwhelming aroma, and price that undercuts many of its competitors. Sounds like a winner to me. If you’re looking for something new to add to the cabinet I’d highly recommend this one. Below you can find a few recipes to try at home.
The White Manhattan
- 1 1/2 oz Bear Gully White Whiskey
- 1/2 oz blanc vermouth (Dolin preferred)
- 1/2 oz Benedictine
- 3 dashes orange bitters
Pour your ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled rocks glass.
The Top Hat
- 1 1/2 oz Bear Gully White Whiskey
- 1 oz Great Fruit Juice
- 1 oz Honey Syrup ( equal parts Honey and water)
- Splash of Lime Juice
Add all ingredients in a shaker, shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
The White Whiskey Old Fashioned
- 2 oz Bear Gully White Whiskey
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
- 2 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
In an Old Fashioned glass add the simple syrup, bitters and whiskey with ice. Stir to chill. Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry.
…..Bear Gully Classic sample was provided courtesy of Winter Park Distillery. For more information on Bear Gully Classic, or any of their other fine products be sure to visit them online at WPDistilling.com. For more updates, great recipes, and informative reviews, you can find us on Facebook and become a fan. Hope you enjoyed today’s lesson plan. Cheers!
