I was minded recently of my love of single malt whiskey at the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest held in Rhinebeck, in the Hudson Valley. I am especially excited by the growth of American Single Malt as a category. And I am enjoying the results of this long, and complicated, grasp by craft distillers, for the ultimate brass ring of the whiskey world.
My new favorite American Single Malt is made at Ten Mile Distillery. Shane Fraser is the Master Distiller.
According to the website:
Shane grew up just outside Aberdeen, Scotland and started his career at Royal Lochnagar in 1990. He has since worked at Oban (2004), Glenfarclas (2007) and most recently a startup distillery: Wolfburn (2012). Shane was Distillery Manager there and was able to develop the type of whisky he wanted to produce, in the way he wanted to produce it. Wolfburn has since won many awards – its first Gold medals in 2016, and continues to impress. Expectations are high, but great things should be expected of Shane’s ability and Tenmile’s commitment to quality.
Shane’s first new make for Tenmile was produced and barreled in January 2020, and will be ready for consumption on 2023. He is making the best spirit he can by taking his time and carefully returning to the fundamental tenets of single-malt whisky distillation. Using 100% New York Grain grown locally by New York State farmers, and taking great care at every step of the process – everything is done with thought and attention. Our fermentations are nearly 7 days, distillations are slow too, taking the full working day for both wash and spirit runs. Shane has been tasked with producing a world class spirit using his knowledge and experience of traditional small batch whisky making techniques.
I saw Shane at the fair, and instantly gravitated towards the stand, eager to see if my very favorable opinion of the whiskey had faded at all. It was quite the opposite. I was suddenly transported to Scotland. Just a whiff, and I was stricken. It's a classic Highlands-styled whiskey, with notes of stone fruit, honey, toffee, vanilla, and a lovely finish that just lasted beautifully.
And outstanding dram! Great to see Shane again!