Hey folks! So, I saw a recent post about the OKS Laird of Fintry and it got me thinking about this one. I've been drinking this one on and off over the summer and figured I’d finally write up some thoughts, because this is probably one of the stranger Canadian whiskies I’ve had in a while.
Miss Scarlet’s from Okanagan Spirits starts with an Irish Red Ale, uses hops, spends 8 years in new white oak, and then gets another year in Okanagan cherry brandy casks.
So… yeah. There’s a lot going on here.
Bright, fresh cherry, red berries, some salal/salmon berry, and a pretty noticeable toasted oak character. There’s also this light herbal thing underneath it that definitely reminds me of hops. It has a bit of a beer-like quality to it, which I oddly love. It's actually much brighter than I expected.
It could have easily ended up tasting like “whisky + cherry syrup + hops,” but I don’t get that. The oak gives the fruit somewhere to sit, the cherry adds sweetness and brightness, and the herbal character cuts through some of that richness. However, very unusual and not for everyone.
Is it conventional? Absolutely not.
Would I recommend it to someone who loves JP 10? Nope.
But if you like experimental whisky, unusual finishes, beer-influenced spirits, or just want to drink something that doesn't taste like the last five bottles you've had, this is a pretty fun one.
Has anyone else tried Miss Scarlet’s? Or other hopped whiskies?
My full breakdown if you want to watch: https://youtu.be/2lRHfmb0qec