The Story: According to their website, American Fifth Spirits launched in 2013 in Lansing, Michigan, with their tasting room opening in 2015. Their bourbon has an interesting 4-grain recipe, comprised of 63% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malt, and 5% rye. Unlike many craft distillers, they opted not to use baby barrels and instead use a middle of the road 30-gallon size. American Fifth Bourbon won a Gold Medal in the 2018 San Francisco Spirits Competition in the Craft Distiller Whisk[e]y class.
Name: American Fifth Spirits Bourbon Whiskey
Distiller: American Fifth Spirits, Lansing, MI
Bottler: American Fifth Spirits, Lansing, MI
Type of Producer: Distiller
Year Established: 2013
Bottling Proof: 90
Age: 12+ months
Mashbill: 63% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malt, 5% rye
Style: Bourbon Whiskey
Release Date: –
Availability: Michigan
MSRP: $50
American Fifth Spirits Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Nose: Fresh green wood, hints of caramel and brown sugar sweetness.
Palate: Very nice mouthfeel that washes over the tongue and rounds out smoothly to finish, a little stonefruit fruit starts to come through.
Finish: A surprising sweetness, some cherry, and a hint of root beer (dare I say sassafras?)
Overall: This whiskey has no flaws per se, but it does seem a little flat. It has some nice color for being so young, but the youth is apparent in the nose/taste. A little more age would likely impart more depth and dimension in the form of caramel/vanilla/fruit as well as reduce the fresh green wood note so prevalent in craft whiskeys. I’m looking forward to seeing how this bourbon matures and evolves – it seems to be off to a great start.
Rating: 2.5
I rate on a 5 point scale on which 5 is perfect, 1 is something I hope to never ingest again, and 3 is a solid daily drinker with no obvious flaws.
Featured image photo credit: CF NAPA BRAND DESIGN (https://cfnapa.com)
