This Colorado Single Malt Whiskey Was Made for a Desi Cocktail Twist

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Hand to God, this bottle is one of my most coveted spirits, and to this day I haven't shared it with anyone.

When most people think of American whiskey, they picture Kentucky bourbon or Jack Daniel's immortalized in countless rock and country songs. I did too for years. But after spending time with Stranahan's Calvados Cask Finish, I walked away convinced that American single malt deserves far more attention than it's getting.

Stranahan's has one of those origin stories that feels more like destiny than coincidence. In 1998, volunteer firefighter Jess Graber met George Stranahan while helping extinguish a fire at Stranahan's barn. That chance encounter eventually led to the founding of Colorado's first legal distillery since Prohibition and one of the distilleries that helped establish American single malt as a serious category.

The Aspen-exclusive Calvados Cask Finish begins as Stranahan's flagship single malt before spending an additional two to four years in casks that previously held Calvados, the famed French apple brandy. On paper, it sounds like an experiment for a rainy day. In the glass however, The influence of the Calvados never overwhelms the whiskey; instead, the two create a harmonious pour that rewards seasoned enthusiasts while remaining approachable for someone experiencing American single malt for the first time. P.S. The Aspen exlusive is only currently available at the Aspen Whiskey Lodge, but you can shop Stranahan's on Total Wine.

Buy Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey: $57.99

First Sip

The first thing I noticed was apples. Not the syrupy, artificial kind, but the aroma of a freshly sliced apple. Pear, cinnamon, and a touch of honey followed close behind. It reminded me of walking into a kitchen where someone had just started pulling baking ingredients from the pantry and fresh fruit from the crisper.

What also surprised me wasn't just the flavor or the texture, it was how little burn there was. Looking at the proof, I expected something much hotter. Instead it stayed smooth, letting the honey, caramel, toasted oak and clove come through one after another. I added a few drops of water out of curiosity, and the fruit opened up even more. If you end up with a bottle, it's worth trying both ways.

Ten minutes after my last sip, I could still taste caramel, oak and a little baking spice. That's an impressive sign and one that showcases the true quality of this spirit.

Final Sip

I've had plenty of higher-proof whiskies where all I remember is the burn. That wasn't the case here. The proof is there, but it never overshadows the rest of the glass. Frankly, it’s one of those bottles that disappears faster than you expect because every pour turns into another. If you're lucky enough to bring one home from Aspen, learn to ration it.

What I liked most about this bottle was how approachable it felt. There was enough going on to keep it interesting, but it never became a whiskey that demanded the textbook knowledge and background of a sommelier. You could spend twenty minutes picking apart every flavor, or you could simply pour a glass at the end of the day and enjoy it. That's probably the biggest compliment I can give it. 

The Desi Serve

Now, spirits purists, hear me out before you grab your pitchforks. A bottle this good deserves to be enjoyed neat first. But after a few pours, I couldn't shake the idea of giving it a subtle desi twist. With its notes of fresh apple, pear, honey, and cinnamon, Stranahan's Calvados Cask Finish already shares a flavor vocabulary with many South Asian kitchens. Rather than masking the whiskey, this cocktail draws on familiar south asian pantry staples like green cardamom and cinnamon while letting the single malt maintain the spotlight.

Cardamom Old-Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Stranahan's Calvados Cask Finish American Single Malt Whiskey (or regular Stranahan's)
• ½ bar spoon demerara syrup (2:1 demerara sugar to water)
• 2 dashes cardamom bitters (Scrappy’s or Dashfire)
• Orange peel, for garnish

Method

1. Add the Stranahan's Calvados Cask Finish, demerara syrup, and cardamom bitters to a rocks glass.
2. Add a large ice cube and stir for about 20 seconds, or until the cocktail is well chilled and lightly diluted.
3. Cut a wide strip of orange peel. Express the oils over the surface of the drink by gently squeezing the peel, then run it around the rim of the glass before using it as a garnish.

I didn't want to bury the whiskey under a bunch of ingredients. The demerara syrup adds just a touch of toffee richness, and the cardamom bitters do the rest with their warm, herbal spice. They bring out flavors that were already there, especially the apple and cinnamon. If you already love this bottle neat, this is just another way to enjoy it. It's a bold riff on an all-time classic that still lets the whiskey do the talking.

Buy Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey: $57.99