Dragon’s Milk Origin Small Batch Bourbon from New Holland Spirits
The American Distilling Institute has just released the list of winners for its annual awards, recognizing “excellence in craft spirits.” It’s kind of a big deal. As you may have noticed by now, there are a lot of booze competitions out there these days. But none of those other ones are voted on by the ADI: a trade association representing the most notable craft producers in the industry—over 2000 licensed distilleries in total. Since 2007, the group has been shouting out what they believe to be the best liquids on shelves across all categories, and from all corners of the globe.
When it comes to whiskey, the discerning palates at ADI have delivered quite the surprise this year, anointing a lesser-known label out of western Michigan as the “Best In Class” bourbon. Here’s everything you need to know about Dragon’s Milk Origin from New Holland Spirits, including what it tastes like and how you can get your hands on it.
Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, New Holland has traditionally been known more for beer than whiskey. They even brew a stout wearing that same Dragon’s Milk name which is, in fact, one of the best selling bourbon barrel-aged beers in the US. Over the past decade, however, they’ve been ramping up their distillation game and in April of 2021 released the now-celebrated whiskey we’re here to talk about today.
Dragon’s Milk Origin matures for a minimum of five years in virgin oak charred to a number three level. None of that is out of the ordinary for major market bourbons you typically see on shelves. Where this one stands apart isn’t in the aging, but in the distillation. It is derived from a high-barley mash bill (the distillery doesn’t disclose the exact recipe) and the liquid rolls off of a “Prohibition era” pot still, as opposed to the column stills more common in contemporary bourbon making.
Pot stills like the ones seen here in Kavalan Distillery are more common to scotch production than … [+]
As a result, this whiskey is noticeably more complex than many of its five-year-old counterparts. It noses with an abundance of orchard fruit. Less prevalent is the caramel and cinnamon so familiar to the category. It holds a rich and robust body, super creamy, inundating the palate with apple crumble and croissant. In the finish is a chocolatey note, which persists long after each sip of the 95-proof liquid has gone down.
Dragon’s Milk is labeled as a “small batch bourbon,” which is an unregulated term, so it doesn’t actually have to mean anything. But here the producer actually means it, with each bottling coming from a blend of no more than 100 matured barrels of stock. For a big-time whiskey maker, that same number can be in the tens of thousands.
The award-winning expression still retails at $45 per bottle…For now. Recognition such as the one bestowed by ADI can have a way of making booze magically more expensive, overnight. So if you’re in the Michigan area—where its distribution is somewhat robust—try to wrap your mitts around this glass as soon as you see it. If you’re located outside the region, online retailers might be able to help you in that mission. Either way, keep your eye on New Holland Spirits. If Dragon’s Milk Origin is any indicator of where they’re headed, we’re certainly keen to see where they end up.
Click here for a full list of the craft whiskies that took home awards at this year’s ADI International Spirits Competition.
Dragon’s Milk Origin paired with smoked ribs.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradjaphe/2023/05/21/the-worlds-best-bourbon-whiskey-according-to-the-2023-adi-international-spirits-competition/