The Brother Justus Range of American Single Malt Whiskey

Established in 2014 by Phil Steger, Brother Justus Distillery is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Named in honor of a local Benedictine monk famed for his clandestine whiskey distillation during Prohibition, Brother Justus dedicates itself to preserving the artistry and innovation of its namesake through its high-quality American single malt whiskeys. The distillery is distinguished for its innovative peating process and the use of regional ingredients which give their whiskey distinct tastes. Here’s a breakdown of the flavor notes for various Brother Justus whiskey offerings.

Situated in northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brother Justus takes pride in producing, aging, and bottling its whiskey at the local facility. The distillery practices exclusive use of malted barley from the Upper Midwest and matures the spirit in specially crafted barrels made from Minnesota oak. The regional wood not only contributes unique flavors but also showcases the influence of the local climate on the aging process.

The distinct flavors arising from Minnesota’s cold-climate oaks are notably different from those derived from warm-climate oaks, such as those found in Missouri. These differences are attributable to the oaks’ varied growth rates, their specific chemical compositions, and their individual interactions with the whiskey during the maturation process.

Cold-climate oak is distinguished by a tight grain structure, higher concentrations of lignin, and fewer vanillin and tannins compared to oak from warmer climates. This tighter grain structure decelerates the interaction between the spirit and the wood, resulting in a slower flavor extraction process. Cold-climate oak introduces a complexity of spice that includes notes of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon, helping to cultivate a more balanced and refined flavor profile over time.

In contrast, warm-climate oak features a looser grain structure which facilitates quicker interactions between the wood and the spirit, leading to rapid flavor extraction and a bolder, more pronounced flavor profile. Elevated levels of vanillin in warm-climate oak deliver stronger and more intense flavors, with distinct coconut notes and a sweeter overall taste. Additionally, the increased tannins present in warm-climate oak contribute to a firmer structure and greater astringency in the spirit.

The Brother Justus Distillery is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey, 43% ABV, 750 ml

The whiskey presents scents of honey, vanilla, and toasted malt/cooked cereal, accented by dried fruit and a slight spiciness.

On the palate, it is smooth and well-balanced, offering tastes of caramel, honey, and cooked cereal, complemented by vanilla, dried apricot, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

The concluding taste is of medium duration, retaining elements of honey, oak, and a subtle spice.

Brother Justus American Single, Silver Whiskey, 43% ABV, 750 ml

Silver whiskey, also referred to as “newmake” whiskey, is whiskey that has not undergone aging. Personally, I prefer aged whiskey as it generally offers deeper flavors. However, newmake whiskey can serve as an intriguing base for cocktails when used by a skilled mixologist. In several countries, whiskey must be aged for a certain period before it can be legally labeled as such. The United States, however, has no such regulations, allowing any distilled spirit from cereal mash to be identified as whiskey, regardless of age.

The aroma of the spirit is predominantly fresh and clean, characterized by scents of green apple and pear, alongside nuances of boiled cereal and an anise or licorice scent.

On tasting, it presents a light, fruity profile with a vibrant eau de vie essence, infused with flavors of green apple, pear, and hints of honey. This unaged whiskey illustrates the raw purity of malt, accompanied by a mild sweetness and a light citrus undertone.

The finish of the whiskey is brief but sweet, featuring continuing flavors of green apple and a subtle taste of cooked cereal.

Brother Justus American Single Malt, Cold Peated Whiskey, 43% ABV, 750 ml

Traditionally, the process of “peating” whiskey involved exposing malted barley to the smoke from a peat fire. This smoke contains phenolic and other organic compounds that adhere to the sugars in the barley and persist through both fermentation and distillation. The specific characteristics of the peat smoke flavor depend on the peat’s origin.

For instance, peat sourced from moist, seaside areas often imparts a medicinal quality, whereas peat from drier, inland regions like eastern Scotland is known for its brushy, forest floor, and earthy notes.

In Scotland, it was common for the water used in mashing to absorb minor amounts of phenolic compounds as it flowed over peat bogs. However, these phenolic levels, generally around 2 or 3 parts per million (ppm), were too minimal to affect the flavor of the whiskey significantly.

Brother Justus has pioneered a unique method termed “cold peating” to instill a smoky/peaty flavor in its whiskey without the actual burning of peat.

Rather than igniting peat, Brother Justus derives the essential oils and phenolic components from it. These compounds are known for providing smoky, medicinal/disinfectant, and earthy aromas to traditionally peated whiskies. The process involves cold-infusing these extracted peat elements into the whiskey by introducing the peat oils into the spirit under controlled temperatures, thus preserving the peaty traits without the need for heat or fire.

This technique of cold peating gives Brother Justus meticulous control over the smokiness, earthiness, and phenolic content in the whiskey. By tweaking the quantity and concentration of the peat extracts used, they can engineer varied smoky nuances, ranging from mild to strong.

The whiskey exudes a delicate, earthy peat smoke on the nose, complemented by notes of honey, vanilla, and cooked cereal, alongside fruity undertones of citrus and green apple.

The whiskey is smooth on the palate, featuring a gentle peat smoke that meshes nicely with honey, vanilla, and cooked cereal flavors. The mid-palate reveals notes of citrus, green apple, and a touch of spice.

This peating differs significantly from the heavily smoked phenolic peat bomb whiskeys often found on Islay. It also lacks the floral/potpourri character typical of Orkney and some Highland peated whiskies. It’s more akin to some of the peated whiskies from Speyside or the single malt American peated whiskeys that use peat from the Pacific Northwest. Rather than being medicinal or phenolic, the smoke has an earthy quality that is more reminiscent of mushroom compost or the forest floor after a rainstorm.

The finish is medium length, with a lingering smokiness and notes of honey, oak, and a subtle spice.

Brother Justus Founder’s Reserve, American Single Malt Whiskey, 58.5% ABV, 750 ml, Lot No. FR-1

The whiskey presents a rich aroma, filled with a complex array of scents. It starts with strong notes of cooked cereal and honey, leading into a burst of vanilla and caramel. Dried fruits, including apricots and figs, mix subtly with a light smoky character, suggesting some form of cold peating during its creation. Further sniffing reveals the spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, accompanied by a faint hint of oak.

Brother Justus Founders Reserve shows a smooth and full-bodied profile when tasted, marked by a notable feeling in the mouth. The dominant flavors include sweet cooked cereal and butterscotch, alongside rich dark chocolate, dried cherries, and roasted coffee nuances. The integrating smokiness adds dimension, enhancing the taste without overwhelming. Flavors of toasted nuts, orange zest, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and slight pepperiness emerge in the middle of the palate.

The finish is protracted and fruity, carrying persistent flavors of honey, cooked cereal, and mild smokiness, with undercurrents of subtle oak and dark dried fruits.

Brother Justus Distillery is known for producing high-quality American single malts that pay homage to the legacy of their namesake using distinct Minnesota ingredients. They offer a range of expressions from the smooth and balanced American Single Malt to the deeply complex Minnesota Oak Single Malt. Suitable for both seasoned enthusiasts and those new to American single malts, Brother Justus whiskeys offer a captivating exploration into the realm of premium craft spirits.

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