I’ve known about Andalusia by reputation for almost the entire time I’ve been interested in American Single Malt, so around 2-3 years ago. However, whenever I’ve looked, I haven’t found them on shelves around me. To be fair I don’t do much shopping in liquor stores anymore, so it’s possible I would see them if I went into, say, a TotalWine these days.

Even so, the good folks at Lost Lantern have a knack for picking crowd pleasers, and I can’t think of a better way than following well-tested palates that agree with mine to take a chance on a new distillery.

Distillery: Andalusia

Bottler: Lost Lantern

Region/Style: Texas Single Malt Whiskey (meets the proposed standard for ASMW)

ABV: 52.6% ABV | CS Cask Strength | NCF non chill filtered

Age: 3 years.

Cask type: New charred oak.

Price: $100 plus taxes. Free shipping from Lost Lantern when ordered with other bottles.

Color: 1.5 auburn | NCA no color added

Nose: mild vanilla, some cinnamon and cherry, mild cloves and allspice. Mild pepper. Shortbread cookie with caramelized top (Chessmen cookies). Dried dates. An interesting blend of profiles like bourbon, Irish whiskey, and lightly sherried… except it’s Texas Single Malt Whiskey in new charred oak. After a sip: the bourbon-like nature of the profile resolves into a bourbon cherry note. A hint of dusty dirt road.

Palate: smooth and creamy, really nice at 52.6%. Just a pleasant prickle of heat, enjoyable to roll around the mouth. The flavors are well integrated such that there’s no sharp edges, but pulling notes on the palate is a challenge. Cinnamon and clove is the predominant taste. Chewing it and aerating it, this is a rare example for me of a whiskey where “oak chips” feels like a truly apt descriptor, though it’s not overpoweringly oaky, just a nice flavor/aroma of oak chips ready for the smoker or something along those lines.

Finish: spiced off-dry apple cider: clove and cinnamon and a fruity soft apple flesh. Apple pie filling without too much syrupy sweetness. Shortbread pie crust again.

Conclusion: This is a juicy, rich homage to fall. Reminiscent of bourbon flavors while still retaining that characteristic gentle sweetness of single malt. The homemade apple pie profile that threads throughout the experience makes this a perfect drink to sip while sitting and chatting with friends and family throughout the holiday season. I do wish it had more complexity but on the other hand I’m not sure what I would change because this profile does what it does really well and is lovely as-is.

Buy a bottle? Sure – 3/5 value. I’m happy with the purchase and I know this bottle will get some love.

Rating: 83/100 – Great!

(DemiTastes Review #79, ASMW #31)

• Discuss this post on Reddit and visit /r/AmericanSMW for more American Single Malt.
• See this review on maltrunners.com and Instagram.

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.