Spencer Trappist Whiskey
Price History
Overview
Spencer Trappist Whiskey forms part of Berkshire Mountain Distillers' innovative Craft Brewers Whiskey Project, where local beers are distilled into American whiskeys. This expression draws from Spencer Trappist Ale, a Belgian-style beer, highlighting the distillery's collaboration with regional brewers to explore beer wash spirits.
Specs at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Style | American Whiskey |
| ABV | 43% |
| Mashbill | Distilled from Spencer Trappist Ale |
| Release Info | First Sheffield-local release in the Craft Brewers Whiskey Project trio (with UFO White and Big Elm) |
| Age | Aged since 2015 in the project's 80 barrels |
Good to know
Berkshire Mountain Distillers, the region's first legal distillery since Prohibition, launched this five-year project partnering with 12 breweries across five states. Each whiskey reflects its base beer's character, with Spencer Trappist emphasizing hop-forward Belgian influences. Bottled with custom brewer-designed labels, it blends the spirit with proprietary historic spring water from Sheffield, Massachusetts.
Tasting notes
- Nose: Prominent hoppiness carries over from the Trappist ale base, with herbal and floral notes evoking Belgian yeast strains.
- Palate: Bold hops dominate alongside inherent beer-derived sweetness, delivering intense flavors that reviewers note as more balanced than similar project entries like Big Elm.
- Finish: Lingering herbal spice and subtle malt echoes, with moderate length reflecting the ale's farmhouse character.
Notable details
- Production: Beer wash distillation, non-chill filtered, 86 proof, limited edition from the initial series.
- Lineage: Berkshire Mountain Distillers Craft Brewers Whiskey Project.
- Comparison: Shares hoppy profile with Big Elm 413 Farmhouse Ale expression but achieves greater equilibrium.
- Availability: Limited release at MSRP around $65, part of ongoing brewery collaborations.
"While flavorful, this whiskey suffers from imbalance due to overwhelming hops and sweetness from its Belgian-inspired ale base." – Drinkhacker (comparative note on project style)
Closing
A hop-driven curiosity for those seeking beer-whiskey hybrids with regional craft roots.
Sources