Review: Masterson’s Straight Barley 10 Years Old and Straight Wheat Whiskey 12 Years Old
Review: Masterson’s Straight Barley 10 Years Old and Straight Wheat Whiskey 12 Years Old
The folks at Masterson’s — made by California-based parent company 35 Maple Street — make what has already become a cult rye whiskey, Masterson’s 10 Year Old Straight Rye. Now the company is back with an even stranger pair of siblings: two well-aged whiskeys, one 100% wheat, one 100% barley.
Both are straight whiskeys made from 100% of their respective grains, sourced from Canada and bottled in the U.S. How do they measure up against the masterful Masterson’s Rye? Thoughts follow.
Masterson’s 12 Year Old Straight Wheat Whiskey – Modest straw in color, the unique nose is immediately hard to place. What comes across are notes of butterscotch, mint, woodsy cedar closet, and a touch of mothballs (not in a bad way). The body is sweeter than expected, with more of a sense of balance than you might expect from the quirky nose. There’s more of a graham cracker character on the palate, with notes of pear, cinnamon, and vanilla. It’s got quite a bit of bite — this is 100 proof stuff — but that masks the relative thinness of the body. This is a whiskey that is initially a little confusing because its flavors are so unexpected… but it grows on you quite a bit after you spend some time with it, which I recommend you do. Reviewed: Batch #1, bottle #3538. A- / $62
Masterson’s 10 Year Old Straight Barley Whiskey – 100% unmalted barley, an extreme rarity in the whiskey world. Well, I disliked this at WhiskyFest and I still dislike it now that I’ve had more time to spend with it. The nose offers an immature, bready character, weighted down with hospital notes. On the body, more of the same — but intense. The stock is rough, the palate leaden with the essence of wood oils, mashed grains, chimney soot, and burnt toast. Something hints at intrigue on the finish — a bit of honey and vanilla, perhaps — but it’s not nearly enough to elevate this beyond a misfiring curiosity. 92 proof. Reviewed: Batch #1, bottle #6045. C / $62
Masterson's 12 Year Old Straight Wheat Whiskey
$62
The folks at Masterson’s don’t make anything; they source their barrels. The rye was distilled by Alberta Distillers of Calgary.
I am a big whiskey fan, and love North American whiskey especially Bourbon, my favorite is Woodford Reserve Cask Strength. So I saw this Masterson’s Wheat Whiskey priced at $58+ with 97 points and bought. I have no problem paying price for a good whiskey. But it was great disappointment for me, again it is my opinion. Whiskey tasted and smelled more like Rum. For me, it is not whiskey… I know people love this brand and I respect that. IT is just not the whiskey for me. I will stick with Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden…. they are far better.