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Whiskey Review: Rogue Oregon Single Malt

We review Rogue Oregon Single Malt, a two-year-old whiskey expression from one of Oregon's first craft brewers that's made from estate-grown barley.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

Two years old, 100% malted barley, 80 proof, retails for around $50.
Appearance:
Light apricot
Nose:
Straightforward and approachable. Some rich, leathery, malty, honey tones contrast nicely with an herbaceous, almost earthy quality, with notes of mint, wet grass, and garden glove. Very Oregonian in spirit.
Palate:
Rich and sweet, with notes of warm leather, waxy milk chocolate, and hazelnuts. There’s a kind of ragged edge in the finish, bitter and slightly metallic, almost bloody, but it’s balanced by a sweet and vegetal flavor that reminds me of pumpkin. That sweetness continues through into a medium-length, somewhat ashy finish. Conclusion Surprisingly smooth and lush in mouth feel, Rogue Oregon Single Malt is a tasty, enjoyable whiskey! The oak is nicely integrated for its young age. Had I tasted it without looking at the bottle, I would have guessed it was older than its two years. I’m happy to report that this lacks many of the flaws of Rogue’s earlier offerings. A portent of better things to come from this Oregon standby? I hope so! FINAL SCORE: 82/100
Finish:
Comments:

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

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