The American Distilling Institute's annual conference this year included a whisk(e)y competition presided by Jim Murray. The award for Best of Show went to Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey (also won Gold in Un-peated Single Malt).

Several of us have been so lucky as to have tasted it (thanks, Lance). And there have been a few rumors on this board that it has been seen in-state. I'm looking to get to know this whiskey.

What shops are presently stocking this whiskey?

I found it at the Sellwood liquor store a few weeks ago. Unless Lance bought it all up . . .

Wow, haven't heard of it. But as I am from Colorado, I am very interested. I'm going to guess that in Bend I will have to have someone mail it to me. But after reading some reviews on it, it sounds fascinating (the reviewer said it had the grace and complexity of a single malt scotch but the flavor profile of a well made bourbon). I just brought in the Jefferson (single batch bourbon) which the OLCC just recently lowered the price on - which never happens especially when I LOVE something. I find it to be outstanding and it has wowed everyone who has tried it. I have moved through three bottles in two weeks, which is good this time of the year for a name that is not well recognized.

I'm chomping at the bit to bring this in at Bel Ami. We just picked up the Bernheim's Wheat, and I think the Stranahan's would complement our American whiskies quite nicely.

I, too, like the Jefferson's (I assume we're talking about the Reserve?)

Jeff,

To be honest, there are some products (good single malt scotches for instance) that I just don't mix with. Stranhan's pretty much falls in that category, although I did make a hell of an interesting Manhattan with it and some Carpano Antica. I also really liked the Bittermens Xococatl Mole Bitters and Stranahan's combo. But usually, I just pour two fingers of Stranahan's and add an ice cube.

Lance, that's certainly how I've been drinking it: either neat or with a bit of ice. I blame you entirely for the hit on my budget. I hope you can keep up a supply at the restaurant; it does offer you a great opportunity to expose customers to whiskey they'd never otherwise experience.

And when does that restaurant open?!

I like Stranahan's so much I'll be pushing for it everywhere I go. Its such a unique, well made product that I'm on a personal mission to spread the Stranahan's gospel to anyone who will listen.

I know that we've all been singing the hosannas over this whiskey for several weeks now and that some of you have acquired bottles for yourselves; so not many none of us might have spent your scarce and therefore valuable drink tickets to taste it againat last weekend's Great American Distillers Festival. But I did, in order to re-acquaint myself with this whiskey. And I found it slightly different than I recall from the sip Lance poured me way back in Spring.

Did anyone else taste the Stranahan's this past weekend?
Did any of you who tasted it find your perception a little changed?

For my part, I thought that it lacked some of the flinty, granite taste that resonated with me on my initial taste. Also, it was very slightly sweeter. Of course this could be due to palatte fatigue on my part or environmental cues or sunspots, so I throw this question open to youse-all.
Lance, you must be on your fourth bottle by now, any sense of their product migrating in taste?

Looks like there's a good amount at Pearl Specialty right now, around $60 a bottle.

I told you to go to the Big Y Liquor Store, you knucklehead. My guess is that you'd been drinking and forgot that I'd given you that tasty little tidbit.

Seriously, though, I think we've got one of the better stores in Oregon in the Big Y. Nobody in Portland believes me when I tell them that I've never had a problem getting Cherry Heering or Yellow Chartreuse, but it's true.