Breckenridge - Dark Arts - Whiskey
$499
Breckenridge – Dark Arts – Whiskey (2021)
Proof: 92
Age: 4+ Years – Up to 10 Years (Blended)
Distillery: Breckenridge
Type: Single Malt Whiskey
Mash: Different Types of Malted Barley (Some Dark Malts used hence the name)
Website: Breckenridge Distillery
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Very Earthy. Seaweed, Cedar Wood, and Teak Wood are dominant. Apple, Pear, and some Nutmeg in the background.
Taste/Palate: Very light on the palate. You don’t get the seaweed on the taste (thank god). Coming through on the palate is Blonde Roast Coffee, Tart Apple, Light Oak, Lemon Grass, and Light Caramel.
Finish: The finish is very muted. You get little to no heat. The flavors round out, but I do get that slight Seaweed reappear from the nose, but it’s brief. Sweeter notes start to come through with Caramel, Apple, Cedar, Anise, and Fresh Leather. After about 2 minutes you get a Cocoa powder finish that stays with you a long time.
Verdict: First, I’ll admit. I couldn’t put my finger on the smell and taste I got. I always put my tasting notes in prior to doing any research so I’m not bias. After going to Breckenridge’s site they put “Seaweed” in their notes. I revisited and had to salute “that’s it!!” and updated my notes. I’m not going to lie the seaweed smell and brief taste on the finish is off-putting. The other characteristics remind me of Whistle Pig – Boss Hog – Magellan’s Atlantic. This is truly unique and I’ll say that you’ll either love it or come to the conclusion that it was a big waste of money. I don’t see a middle ground here. The flavor profile is too one-sided for a middle of the road review. I personally liked that it stretched the boundaries. I HATE that they charge 5 bills to try it. In summary this is a HARD PASS for me. It is a hard pass because you spend a lot of money and to be honest I didn’t care for the taste. I would be questioning if this bottle was worth $50 based on the taste. There was no question for me based on this particular bottles (in store) $499 price tag. If someone is offering give it a go. If you hate your money, buy it. If you liked Boss Hog Magellan’s Atlantic and want to spend an equal amount of money on a gamble, go for it.
MSRP: PASS. Price Ceiling: $60 (The most I’d pay for this bottle)
The Story: Luckily, my friend loves to buy those expensive bottles such as Boss Hog and this. He provided my with 2oz sample to take home to taste. I split it up into 2 1oz tastings. What you read above is my final conclusion. I’m happy I tried it and was able to do a sample swap to do it, but I’m very happy I didn’t spend my money on this bottle. (My friend purchased this bottle for $499. I hear you can pick it up for less than that, maybe $300 now in select stores. Either price is too high in my opinion).
The Distillery’s Story – Direct from the Distillery – “The Breckenridge Distillery is the ‘World’s Highest Distillery’. Founded in 2008, the Breckenridge Distillery is most widely known for its blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye mash American-style whiskey. Breckenridge Bourbon is one of the most highly awarded crafted bourbons; 4x winner of Best American Blended (2016, 17, 18, and 2019) from the World Whiskies Awards and Bourbon of the Year in 2011 at the Int’l Wine & Spirits Competition, and 2019 Colorado Distillery of the Year at the New York Int’l Spirits Competition. In 2018, Breckenridge Distillery won the coveted Icons of Whisky for Brand Innovator of the Year.
Since coming online in 2008 and releasing its first vodka and bourbon three years later, Breckenridge Distillery has quickly become an award-winning producer of fine spirits, being designated one of the top three bourbons in the U.S. How it all came to be, however, stems from a mix of just the right ingredients, a hint of luck and a deep love for quality whiskey.”
“Philosophically for me, quality is the only thing that matters,” says Nolt. “If you want to have quality in whiskey, there’s so much heritage that you just can’t ignore.”
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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