Corsair Artisan Distillery

The American Distilling Institute (ADI) recently held their annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  A major part of the event was a tasting competition that included over 65 small and mid-sized whiskey producers.  Corsair’s upcoming and experimental whiskeys made a strong showing by bringing home 5 medals (more than any other distillery).  The awards are as follows:

Gold Medal

• Cask Strength – Corsair Wormwood Wit Barrel Strength

Silver Medal

• Unaged Whiskey – Corsair Wry Moon
• Cask Strength – Triple Smoke

Bronze Medal

• Rye Whiskey – Corsair 100% Aged Rye
• Whiskey Idiosyncratic – Corsair Rasputin (Hopped Whiskey)

Corsair Artisan Distillery has added two more pieces of hardware to it quickly growing awards shelf.  This time with a gold and double gold medal for two of their whiskeys from the prestigious San Fransisco World Spirit Competition.

The Wry Moon Unaged Rye Whiskey won Double Gold (the highest honor) in the Miscellaneous Spirits category.  Meanwhile, the Triple Smoke Whiskey won Gold in the Other Whiskey Category.  You can find a complete list of SFWSC winners here.

The Wry Moon is currently being distributed to major markets while the Triple Smoke is still in the production process.  The later is expected to be released to a broad audience in the next 6-9 months.

These two awards join the following previous accolades:  Corsair Gin (2009 Gold Medal Winner, SFWSC | 2009 Gold Medal, World Beverage Competition), Rasputin Hopped Whiskey (2009 Platinum Medal Winner, World Beverage Competition), 100% Aged Rye (2010 Silver Medal, Beverage Tasting Institute), and Triple Smoke (2010 Gold Medal, Beverage Tasting Institute).

Two of Corsair’s recently crafted experimental whiskeys have recently been highly rated by the Beverage Tasting Institute.  The Triple Smoke Whiskey received gold medal with a score of 93 (exceptional) while the 100% Aged Rye Whiskey awarded a silver medal by scoring 89 (highly recommended).  You can read the BTI’s tasting notes below:

Corsair Single Barrel Triple Smoke American Straight Malt Whiskey $42.95.

Unusual aromas of smoked turkey jerky, toasted date bread, salty roasted nuts and bacon chocolate follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with hints of iodine, smoked peat, and toffee. Finishes with a long, herbal and grassy, almond brittle, smoke, and peppery spice fade. A very unique and fun smoked bourbon that is extremely tasty and reminiscent of a moderately peaty Islay Scotch whisky like Bruicchladdich.

Corsair Experimental Collection 100% Kentucky Rye Whiskey $29.95/375 ml.

Bright amber color. Interesting and bold aromas of nutmeg laced eggnog, roasted pecans, and glazed panettone follow through on a spry entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with zucchini bread, dusty rye grain, herbs, and exotic peppery spice notes. Finishes with a very hot, citrus zest, ginger powder, mineral and pepper fade. Very unique.

Both of these whiskeys are currently in production and will be released later this year along with the Rasputin Hopped Whiskey, which received a platinum rating (best in category) in the recent World Spirits Competition.