Name: Clyde May’s Limited Edition Special Reserve Whiskey

ABV: 55%

Proof: 110

Nose: Green Apples, Caramel, Light Oak, Vanilla

Palate: Green Apples, Caramel, Vanilla, Butterscotch, Pear

Finish: Moderate with a nice spice and burn with flavors of apples, pears, and rich caramel.

Overall: On the nose there is a strong green apple aroma up front which is the prominent aroma and flavor throughout. There is a rich caramel aroma with some traditional bourbon aromas of light oak and vanilla. At first sip I was greeted with a burst of green apple and pear flavors with some caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch on slowly coming in. These flavors were almost like a dessert in a glass and seemed to provide the whiskey with a thicker mouthfeel. The finish was moderate with a nice burn to it and another strong burst of apples and pears. Overall, this was a unique and delicious whiskey. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this whiskey, especially when I heard mention of the apples used in the aging process. I enjoyed the flavors throughout and especially the burn at the end. This is one that I enjoyed best neat and honestly haven’t tried any other way yet. I am looking forward to trying it in a cocktail as the flavor and higher proof should do quite well. If you are looking for a new whiskey with a unique flavor than give Clyde May’s a try. Clyde May’s is available for around $70.

History: Clyde May’s Whiskey was created by Clyde May, an Alabama farmer and war hero, in the late 1940s. Clyde lived in Alabama’s Conecuh Ridge, and was a moonshiner by trade but a craftsman by heart. Using copper stills, fresh Alabama spring water and the finest local grains, he vowed to make the best whiskey Alabama had ever tasted. Clyde aged small batches in charred oak barrels and experimented until he perfected his own unique finish – Alabama Style. He added oven-dried apples to his barrels and the resulting hint of green apple made his whiskey particularly smooth. That smoothness is what sets Clyde May’s Whiskey apart. Clyde eventually paid the price for his passion, spending eight months in a federal penitentiary, but he set up a new still the day he was released. In 2001, though he had passed, Clyde’s son recreated his father’s famous recipe and began legally distilling his father’s brand, hewing to the same traditions that made his father’s whiskey famous. Clyde May’s Whiskey is the Official State Spirit of Alabama.

Cigar Recommendation: The dark oily Maduro wrapper of the CAO Gold Maduro Robusto cigar will have a slight natural sweetness to it making this a bit on the mild to medium side in terms of cigar strength which complements the apple flavors well.

 https://www.famous-smoke.com/brand/cao+gold+maduro+cigars

Strength: Medium

Shape: Robusto

Size: 5 x 50

Country: Nicaragua

Wrapper Color: Maduro

Wrapper Origin: Brazilian