Shortbarrel Announces Afterswarm Meadowfoam Honey-Finished Rye
Shortbarrel has announced the third release in its Afterswarm Series: Afterswarm Meadowfoam, a rye whiskey finished in Meadowfoam Honey barrels.
Native to the Pacific Northwest – particularly Oregon’s Willamette Valley where the plant thrives – Meadowfoam honey is known for its naturally high vanillin concentration and marshmallow-like aromatic profile.
To create Afterswarm Meadowfoam, Master Blender Clinton Dugan and his team conditioned new American Oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage with Meadowfoam honey sourced from Flying Bee Ranch, a small, family-owned business based in Salem, OR. After the honey was dumped out of the barrels, rye whiskey sourced from MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, IN and Green River Distillery in Owensboro, KY was finished in the honey conditioned barrels for almost 12 months. After finishing, the 6-13 year old, 95% rye/5% malted barley mash rye whiskeys were blended and bottled non-chill filtered at 108.6 proof (54.3% ABV).
Shortbarrel Afterswarm Meadowfoam is described as having aromas of “vanilla cream, honeycomb, toasted marshmallow, polished oak, and baking spice.” The palate exhibits “dense rye spice that transitions into vanilla bean, brûléed sugar, dark florals, and subtle citrus oil with a sweetness that is integrated rather than sugary.” It finishes with “lingering baking spice, raw honey, toasted coconut, dry oak warmth, and persistent rye structure.”
Shortbarrel Afterswarm Meadowfoam is available exclusively via shortbarrelbourbon.com for $114.99.
Source: Shortbarrel.