House Spirits Distillery, one of Oregon’s premier craft distilleries and makers of Aviation gin, Krogstad Aquavit, and Medoyeff vodka are releasing three whiskey expressions simultaneously at the distillery on December 12th. House Spirits Straight Malt whiskey (approx $46, 1500 bottles released), House Spirits Cask Strength whiskey (approx $34, 150 bottles released) and House Spirits White Dog whiskey (approx $20.50, 150 bottles released) will all be available for tasting and purchase at the distillery and later at liquor stores throughout the state of Oregon. Each whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and Oregon’s famous Bull Run water. Distiller Lee Medoff told me that he intitially made a beer with a quick 2 day fermentation to create esters that would carry over into the whiskies to improve their flavor. The beer came out at 6% abv, was distilled once to remove the heads, and then distilled a second time for the heart cut and then, in the case of the Cask Strength and Straight Malt put in new 53 gallon American oak barrels with a 2+ toast level to age. The White Dog is an unaged, unoaked new make whiskey.
House Spirits White Dog whiskey comes in House’s 375ml apothecary bottles (approx 50% abv). The nose is big and malty, with hints of white pepper and grapefruit pith. When I asked Medoff why he was bottling new make spirit, he said, “I want to give whiskey aficionados the full experience. If it wasn’t good coming off of the still, why would I barrel it? This isn’t hillbilly moonshine stuff”.” Medoff is right, as this whiskey delivers much more flavor than most unaged whiskies. There is almost a chewy mouthfeel on the palate and flavors like sizchuan peppercorn, milk chocolate, cereal notes, lemon peel and fleur de sel caramels intermingle before giving way to a long finish that has slightly grassy and floral notes (perhaps rose petals?) gently easing off of the palate. Highly Recommended.
“Barrels are one of the only tools we have once the spirit is made”, said Medoff. The House Spirits Cask Strength (approx 56% abv) shows that thirty-two months in new American oak brings a lot of flavors to the whiskey without imparting too much oakiness to overpower the spirit. The nose opens with hints of caramel, vanilla and orange peel, with just a slight tar or creosote character in the background. Neat, this whiskey has a very strong baked apple flavor, with a little cool water, the whiskey also reveals quince jam, pear, cereal notes and an almost winey character emerges with just the slightest hint of peppermint. This whiskey also has a long finish, especially considering its age. Apple pie spice, pear and graham cracker notes linger at the end. Top Recommendation.
Finally, House Spirits Straight Malt whiskey (approx 45% abv) was developed with bartenders and mixologists in mind. “We kept hearing a chorus of bartenders who wanted a grain forward, not heavily oaked whiskey with a bourbon-like nose and a malt character” Medoff explained. This whiskey was designed to be used in mixed drinks, and while delicious on its own, try this one in a manhattan or old fashioned to see just how mixable it truly can be. The nose features sweet aromas, with dried fruit and white pepper predominating. On drinking this whiskey, creosote, tea spice, chocolate, oatcake and brown sugar show this to be a smooth, complex and layered whiskey. Finally, hazelnuts, oranges and black tea make an appearance on the finish, lingering just a bit longer than you might expect, yet leaving you craving more. Top Recommendation.
House Spirits Distillery is located at 2025 SE 7th Ave in Portland Oregon. Their annual Booze Bazaar which coincides with the release of these whiskies happens on Saturday December 12th from 12pm to 5pm. Admission is free for those over 21. Additionally, Portland’s best cocktail bar, Beaker & Flask, will be hosting a cocktail party featuring House Spirits whiskies from 4-6pm that day and Simpatica Dining Hall will be hosting a whiskey dinner to close the day at 7pm.