Review: Spirit Hound Straight Malt Whisky

By Jacob Kiper | May 18, 2024 |

The American single malt world continues to blossom and Colorado has been at the forefront. Spirit Hound Distillers is located in Lyons, Colorado, but they’re well known in London, as their Straight Malt Whisky was named Whisky of the Year and Best in Show at the 2024 London Spirits Competition.

Spirit Hound Straight Malt Whisky is distilled from barley grown and malted in Alamosa, Colorado, with a small percentage being peated malt. All of Spirit Hound’s Straight Malts are offered as single barrel expressions, aged in char No. 3 casks of 53 gallons. The bottle featured in this review has been aged for 2 years 351 days. While this age comes across as young to many whisky lovers, Spirit Hound insists that their climate’s sweet spot is between 2 years, 9 months and around 3 years, 6 months. Given the unique aging conditions in Lyons, Spirit Hound says that they find their whisky tends to pick up too much oak character when aged for much longer. In less than 3 years, this particular barrel experienced an angel’s share of 20.39%. (In an act of complete transparency and label aesthetics, Spirit Hound includes a QR code on all labels that give production details that are specific to each unique barrel.)

While some might balk at a malt whisky under the age of 3 years, Spirit Hound was able to own the 2024 London Spirits Competition. Is Spirit Hound correct in their assessment that a whisky around 3 years is their sweet spot? Let’s dig in.

The first scent detected is that of sawdust. Sawdust is not a note I commonly find enjoyable, but for this whisky, it’s not unpleasant. The aroma of graham crackers and green bananas follows, and as the whisky opens up, caramel makes an appearance. The nose indicates a whisky that has not spent an extended amount of time in oak, but its youth still creates a pleasing aroma.

The graham cracker note is equally present on the palate — specifically the honeyed variety without cinnamon. The bright nose seems to match the palate with a crisp green apple note, and as the flavor evolves, buttered toffee comes into the picture. While the nose presents a green banana, the back of the palate displays more of a dried banana character. The dried banana note doesn’t taste green, but slightly sweet and slightly earthy.

The crisp profile continues with the finish, as green apple is still present, then showing a slightly grassy note that ends with more of that dried banana. I didn’t get much of the peat character on the initial tasting, but the whisky does conclude with a slight smoky note.

Overall, Spirit Hound Straight Malt Whisky is a very enjoyable whisky. It’s a testament to the fact that whisky does not need to be aged for an extended number of years to be worth drinking. I fully enjoyed the bright and crisp notes that come with this whisky. I’ve experienced other American malt whiskies that I’ve enjoyed more, but Spirit Hound did a good job with this one. The suggested price of $63 could come down a bit as the whisky is so youthful, however.

90 proof.

B / $63 / spirithounds.com