A little background

Clyde May’s 12 Year Old Cask Strength Alabama Style Whiskey from Conecuh Ridge Distillery bears the name of the man responsible for the brand, Clyde May. Clyde crafted his first spirits in 1946, but it wasn’t until 2001 that the distilling operation was made legal. The company built its name around this popular “Alabama Style Whiskey”, which according to their website is finished with a hint of apple and is the Official State Spirit of Alabama. Clyde May’s 12 Year Old Cask Strength Alabama Style Whiskey is bottled at 120 Proof, was distilled in Indiana, and has a retail price of $129.99 USD. This whiskey is part of an exclusive limited release of only a few thousand bottles every year.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Gold

Nose

Thick beautiful nose. Caramel Crème Brûlée, egg custard, orange and lemon citrus, nutmeg, and a touch of marshmallow whip.

Palate

Toasted cinnamon bread, butterscotch, Dr. Pepper, citrus, fudge, sweet oranges, and baking spice. Complex and rich!

Finish

A wonderfully long finish with notes of fudge, oranges, espresso, and a lingering sweetness.

In closing

Clyde May’s 12 Year Old Cask Strength Alabama Style Whiskey is interesting, complex, and absolutely divine from the nose all the way through to the finish. The nose has a great Brûlée quality, while the palate and finish are like an orange tootsie pop with wonderful layers of orange and chocolate. Clyde May’s 12 Year Old Cask Strength is nothing short of a fantastic bourbon that I’d buy all day long at this price point. Well done Clyde May’s, well done!

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Clyde May’s Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.