While you would probably have had Whiskey made from Wheat, Barley, Corn and/or Rye, have you had it made from Rice?
This is the question that Mike Frugé and his family of fifth-generation rice farmers are asking as they release a full batch of their new J.T. Meleck Rice Whiskey in time for the holiday season.
While there are a variety of grains are common in Whiskey distilling, few distillers use rice as part of their mash bill in the U.S., and no American brand has ever crafted a whiskey made 100% from rice at a commercial level. But Louisiana distillers, J.T. Meleck Distillers, are looking to change all that.
Whiskey reviewer Fred Minnick, Ascot Awards Founder and Chief Taster, said of J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, “This is one of the more fascinating new whiskies I have tasted, not just all year but in my career…if you are a whiskey lover, this is a bottle that you want to hunt. If you are a bourbon lover. I think there are enough sweet notes in here…I think that you would love it.”
Like other American whiskeys, J.T. Meleck whiskey is aged for nearly 5 years in American oak, 53-gallon barrels. The spirit appears in an intense amber colour. Its aroma characteristics include vanilla crème cake and white chocolate pudding. The taste and texture are smooth, with hints of butterscotch, silky caramel, Crème Brulee, and dark chocolate with a bit of spice. It can be enjoyed neat, over ice, or in a classic cocktail.
“With our new American Rice Whiskey, we are offering our best, ready for you to share with family and friends this holiday season,” explains Mike Frugé, founder and owner of Frugé Spirits. “We were patient in our process to release a rice whiskey that was the best it could be, authentic to our Louisiana brand and true to our family’s story. We’re giving what we have directly to you; we hope you enjoy it.”
For more information, go to jtmeleck.net