Endless Whiskey: Hop-Flavored Whiskey (Part II)

If you recall, during the ridiculous winter storms of February, I tried the 2013 SOL Hop Flavored Whiskey. Well, here comes the 2014 version. Founder and owner Mike Reppucci said that the award-winning 2014 version is more hoppy than last year’s and potentially even more mellow.  The single malt whiskey from the north continues to provide the basic flavors of an IPA style beer in the form of whiskey.  After the wash is fermented and completes the distillation process, the whiskey is dry hopped with Citra and Sirachi Ace hops (grassy and citrus hops).

While the flagship whiskeys produced by Sons of Liberty offer either a sweet or smokey taste that many of us liken to whiskey or scotch, the hop-flavored whiskey has more of an “in your face” but refreshing profile. The warming and sweet malt flavors come through at first, suddenly cut by a strong bitterness from the hops and complemented by our good friend ethanol. The citrus and grassy flavors of the hops complete the taste.

The pour is lighter than a bourbon – more the color of a scotch. Aroma is a strong smell of hops – I get earthy and grassy over the citrus scents. In comparing the 2013 vs. 2014, the 2014 has a more refined and mellow taste to it than the 2013 when I first got it. I’ll be saving some of the 2013 and the 2014 to compare them again next year. So far, I think the 2014 is my favorite.

If you are new to whiskey or just want to branch out from the typical Jack and Jim, this is a good place to start. Especially if you are a hophead like me, you’ll enjoy the hop-forward flavor throughout the drink along with a nice warming sweetness of the whiskey. While summer has definitely ended, this is a good reminder of the blessed sunny and hot summer packed in one alcoholic bottle.

Here are some suggested mixed drinks to create with the Hop-Flavored Whiskey:

Hopped Negroni: