Every good story about craft distilling in the good ol' US of A involves a rebellious spirit, illegal activity, and some type of redemption or resurrection (even if it's a recipe that's been revived). Clyde May's Alabama Style Whiskey has got it all—but what you need to know is this: Alabama-style whiskey (of which very little is officially and legally made) involves adding oven-dried apples to the aging barrel. The result of that process is quite apparent in Clyde May's Special Reserve expression, which packs a 110-proof wallop. Naturally, there's a fair bit of alcohol on the nose, along with some sweet caramel, a touch of cinnamon, plenty of tart apple, and dark fruit. It's got a beautifully rich tawny red color and viscosity; at first taste, it's sweet and tingly upfront in the mouth with ripe black currant, lots of caramelized sugar, and a bit of spice emerging. Yet it's extremely soft for its 110 proof, finishing with some deep warmth and lingering fruit. This Alabama-style whiskey is a different beast, to be sure, but it's got a one-of-a-kind vibe—fun, unique, and more than pleasantly drinkable.