Whiskey Review/Tasting: Cleveland The Eighty

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Distilled in Indiana, USA, and bottled by Cleveland Whiskey, Cleveland, Ohio.
Type: American Bourbon.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Utilizes a patent-pending pressure aging technology instead of traditional aging methods. Aged for less than two years.
Age Statement: Less than two years.
Color and Clarity: Light in color with excellent clarity.
Bottle Design: Features Tom Licks, the founder, and includes images of Tom Licks with President Obama discussing the bottle size, which is 0.7 liters for the European export market.

Balance of Flavors: A medley of flavors including toffee, butterscotch, almond, vanilla, and cocoa.
Unique Characteristics: The whiskey is noted for its light floral notes, differing from the typical bourbon aroma, with a presence of chocolate and coffee aromas. The aftertaste is described as mild, mellow, and somewhat floral, but not particularly long-lasting.
Comparison: Not directly compared to other whiskies, but noted for lacking the typical bourbon aroma, possibly due to its unique distillation or aging process.

Anecdotes: The discussion between Tom Licks and President Obama about the bottle size for European export is highlighted, along with the innovative approach to whiskey aging that challenges traditional methods.
Production Process: The whiskey's pressure aging technology is emphasized as a radical departure from conventional aging, with the company embracing a role as industry heretics.

Historical Context: The whiskey represents a modern, innovative approach to bourbon production, challenging traditional aging processes and embracing technology to accelerate maturation.
Geographical Context: The whiskey's production spans Indiana for distillation and Ohio for bottling, highlighting a cross-state American bourbon identity.

Opinions: The reviewer, Horst Luening, expresses curiosity about the whiskey's mash bill and its distillation origins, noting the absence of typical bourbon aromas and the presence of unique flavor profiles.
Quotes: "Age is irrelevant, taste is all that matters." - Emphasizes the company's philosophy towards whiskey production.

Cleveland The Eighty is an American bourbon distilled in Indiana and bottled in Ohio, aged for less than two years using a patent-pending pressure aging technology.
The whiskey has a light color and clarity, with a flavor profile that includes toffee, butterscotch, almond, vanilla, and cocoa, but lacks the typical bourbon aroma.
Unique for its innovative aging process and the story of its founder's interaction with President Obama regarding bottle size for European export.
Represents a modern approach to whiskey production, challenging traditional methods and emphasizing flavor over age.
The reviewer notes the whiskey's unique characteristics and expresses a desire for a potentially longer or more intensive application of the pressure aging process.

Innovative Whiskey Enthusiasts: Individuals interested in modern, technology-driven approaches to whiskey production.
Flavor Chasers: Those who prioritize unique and diverse flavor profiles over traditional whiskey characteristics.
Curious Beginners: New whiskey drinkers curious about the range of production methods and flavors available beyond classic profiles.