Tamworth Distilling of Tamworth, New Hampshire, is thrilled to announce the release of The Mellow Fellow Corn Whiskey. Made in honor of American essayist, poet, and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau, the straight corn whiskey is aged two years and was named The Mellow Fellow as a nod to Thoreau’s desire to live simply and peacefully amongst his natural surroundings.
Made from an organic hybrid of Flint and Dent corn kernels, the two varietals provide an ideal balance of flavor and yield, due to the short, sweet growing season for corn that Northern summers provide. The liquid is a straw-like color, with a citrine sparkle and the bottle is adorned with Thoreau’s journal entry dated July 5, 1858, where he poetically describes his visit to Tamworth and the surrounding New Hampshire region. Newly released on Saturday, July 3, this extremely limited small-batch spirit is available while supplies last exclusively at Tamworth Distilling for $50.
“After this last year I think we can all agree that it’s time to chill the f*ck out and raise our glasses, half full, to individualism, idealism, and the divinity of nature!” said Steven Grasse, Tamworth Distilling founder, in a press release. “We all need to be Mellow Fellows (or Mellow Ladies).”
Tamworth Distilling’s first corn whiskey celebrates the unsung hero of American whiskey which is most commonly overshadowed by bourbon. The bourbon classification requires the mash bill to include at 51% corn and the straight corn whiskey has often been beloved by bartenders and bourbon nerds, famously referred to as the “kissing cousin” of bourbon.
Starting with over 80% organic hybrid yellow organic corn (the same grain as The Old Man of the Mountain Bourbon), then a healthy balance of organic raw rye is added (same varietal from Chocorua Rye) along with non- GMO malted barley to convert the carbohydrates to sugar during the processes. The distillers sculpted a sour mash program to suit the facility needs, using a culture from the last batch in the next sequential mash. This process is important for building flavor and naturally controlling acidity in the wash.
“We modify our approach from our bourbon in a way to exemplify corn’s lighter nuances. Sweet and mild, with elegant whiffs of hay and apples. A major distinction between bourbon and its lesser-known sibling Corn Whiskey is the use of extremely high corn percentage and used barrels. In the case of The Mellow Fellow, house made apple brandy and bourbon barrels are used to age for 2 years. This softens the spirit, without loading it with oaky tannins and heavy wood sugars. The result is faint impressions of the used barrels and a pale golden hue,” said distiller, Jamie Oakes.
Flavor Profile/Tasting Notes:
A snifter of The Mellow Fellow has a light fruit and cornbread aroma. The color is straw-like, with a citrine sparkle. Kettlecorn on the nose and in the first taste, which hints to a cream soda to smooth out the mid-palate. The fruit from the barrel character is present in an apple blossom like peak. Fragrant and mild, with no over-the-top chewiness or oily mouthfeel. Created with a hybrid of Flint and Dent corn kernels, combined with with careful finishing in used oak barrels, you have yourself a sipper deserving of the title, The Mellow Fellow.
Mellow golden hue with more apple and berry fruit on the nose than typical caramel and vanilla. A touch of brown sugar sits just below the top notes. Overall, a custard-like presence on the nose, soft and creamy.
The palate has a little more sweet corn grain character than the aroma leads on. The mid-palate has an attribute from the rye, slightly peppery while it activates the sides of the tongue and cheeks. Clean, less oily than the bourbon brethren. It sips more refreshingly from start to finish with a livelier experience.