Category - Food & Drink
American Single Malt Is Now an Official Whiskey Category—and Stranahan’s New 12 Year Release Is the Best Example Yet
Courtesy Image
This article was published in partnership with Stranahan’s.
If you ask a room of whiskey fans about their favorite American single malt whiskey, chances are most will answer Stranahan’s. Not only that, but Stranahan’s was also hailed the overall best American single malt by the prestigious Top Shelf Awards. It’s all in a day’s work for the Denver, CO-based whiskey maker, which has been cranking out delicious expressions since 2004.
“Over the past two decades, we’ve become the most awarded in the category, amassed perhaps the deepest inventory of well-aged American single malt, and demonstrated what’s possible with dedication to one craft,” says Justin Aden, head blender at Stranahan’s.
Since its inception, American single malt whiskey has been a burgeoning spirits category that generally covered American whiskey made from 100-percent malted barley. That is until December 18, 2024, when the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) established an official government standard. It’s the first new alcohol category to be recognized in over 50 years—and it goes into effect January 19.
A Rare Release for a Revolutionary Moment in Whiskey
Courtesy of Stranahan's
Stranahan’s wasn’t going to let such a historic moment slip by. On the contrary, the whiskey maker has been eagerly anticipating it. Twelve years ago, the brand laid down barrels for what’s now called Founder’s Release, a new American single malt whiskey aged until the exact moment of its namesake category’s ratification.
According to the new guidelines, American single malt whiskey must be distilled in the U.S. Additionally, it must be distilled to a proof of 160 or less using a fermented mash of 100-percent malted barley. The spirit must then be stored in oak barrels—which can be uncharred new, charred new, or used—with a maximum capacity of 700 liters. Finally, it must be bottled at no less than 80 proof.
“Twenty years ago, Stranahan’s began trailblazing the American single malt category, focusing on perfecting one recipe made with 100 percent malted barley, Rocky Mountain spring water, and time in American White Oak barrels—all crafted one mile high in Denver, Colorado,” says Aden.
Founder’s Release adheres to those guidelines without sacrificing the character that makes Stranahan’s whiskey special. It was made from 100-percent malted barley, first matured in new charred American white oak barrels, then partially finished in casks that previously matured bourbon and blonde ale, riffing on the blueprint established by founder Jess Graber over 20 years ago, to whom Founder's Release pays homage. After 12 years in casks, it was cut with Rocky Mountain spring water and bottled at 120 proof—the highest the brand has ever released nationally. And it all happened at Stranahan’s Denver distillery, situated at 5,280 feet above sea level.
“Not sure where else in the world is making whiskey, of any style, quite a mile high,” says Aden. “It’s an awesome place to make whiskey. It’s unlike anywhere else. And this climate paired with our vision two decades ago has made Stranahan’s the present leader in the clubhouse for high-age-stated American single malt.”
Founder’s Release calls back to the people who kickstarted Stranahan’s. In 1998, moonshiner and volunteer firefighter Jess Graber responded to a neighbor’s barn fire in Woody Creek, CO. The barn belonged to George Stranahan, a long-time brewery owner. After the blaze subsided, Graber and Stranahan found they shared a passion for good whiskey.
Courtesy of Stranahan's
That friendship culminated in Stranahan's—Colorado’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. But the pioneering spirit didn’t stop there. From the start, Stranahan’s has championed American single malt, advocating for the category’s official ratification as a long-standing member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission.
“They said we were crazy, and maybe we were, but we were believers in American single malt from the start,” says Graber. “It was time to wake people up to what American whiskey could be. And now, to see American single malt get the recognition and attention it deserves, all I can say is, it’s a very proud day.”
“We couldn’t be prouder to see American single malt recognized as an official category,” says Aden. “Founder’s Release 12 Year Old is a celebration of this milestone, our two decades of craftsmanship, and everyone—especially our loyal Stranafans—who have bottled their passion and stayed the course alongside us.”
Stranahan’s Founder’s Release Tasting Notes
With Founder’s Release is a delightfully warm whiskey. Once poured into a glass, whiffs of milk chocolate, cherry cola, nutmeg, and sarsaparilla grace the nose. Once sipped, flavors of Nutella, cream soda, and clove spice linger on the palate.
Such compelling tasting notes beget another pour, but be sure to savor this bottle. It’s a piece of history that’s only available for a short time. When it’s empty, you can always reach for Stranahan’s mainstays like Blue Peak, Mountain Angel, or the iconic Stranahan’s Original American single malt that started it all.
Founder’s Release is available for a suggested retail price of $199.99 at select retailers in Colorado, California, Texas, Florida, and New York; Stranahan’s brand homes in Denver and Aspen; and Stranahan’s website.
