You’ve heard of Tennessee whiskey (hello, JD). You’ve heard of Kentucky bourbon (some say the only place you can make bourbon, but that’s a story for another time). Let’s add Alabama-style whiskey to your repertoire.

Meet Clyde May’s Alabama Whiskey

More than 70 years ago, Clyde was one of the original moonshiners, making whiskey and trying to stay one step ahead of the law. He wasn’t always successful at that (8 months in the federal pen to show for it), but his whiskey was a success. Made in small batches to make it easy to transport (and hide), Clyde put oven-dried apples into the barrel with the whiskey to age. The result was what he called Alabama-style whiskey. Though it’s called whiskey on the label, it has a mashbill (recipe) that qualifies as bourbon, with 55% coming from corn. That should give you an idea that the whiskey you’re drinking will be a little smoother – but it does have 30% rye, which gives it a little bit of a bite. The final bottled product is a blend of whiskies that have been aged 5-6 years, which is similar to other whiskies with this mashbill. Here are my tasting notes: sláinte!

Color: Dark amber with hints of gold. There are two different bottle labels, but the hooch inside is the same.

Nose: Light and sweet, you can definitely smell the corn. The barest hint of apple comes and goes.

Taste: The taste follows the nose – a sweet bourbon, with a little bit of a rye finish. The first taste warms your tongue, but doesn’t burn. I can taste the apple at the very beginning (again, just a hint), but that gives way to the corn and rye. This is certainly not “apple flavored whiskey”. The flavors work well together, without being fruity or too sweet.

ABV: 42.5% (or 85 proof)

Price: $30-37

Availability: Clyde May’s is available in a number of bars and stores in and around the city including notable spots such as Flatiron Room, Maysville and Whitehall. You can also find it online at DrinkUpNY

Comments: Overall, this is a tasty whiskey. Straight or mixed in a cocktail (either hot or cold), Clyde May makes some great hooch. You should try it!

8.5 pancakes out of 10 – nicely done!

Article by: Jeanne Runkle