When I first saw Colkegan on the label of a sample given to me by a friend, I thought I had an Irish whisky on my hand. It was not until I poured it that I realized this was something else entirely. Colkegan is the mesquite smoked single malt produced by the Santa Fe Distillery, which my wife had a chance to visit a few years back and enjoyed (though she did not bring a bottle home on that trip). I love the idea of mesquite smoking the barley for a real Southwest twist on the malt— Sante Fe and Del Bac have done a great job furthering that style.

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Whisky: Colkegan Cask Strength Batch 63

Country/Region: United States/New Mexico

ABV: 59%

Cask: American White Oak, Bourbon Barrels

Age: N/A

Notes: Mellow smoke and ginger beer paired with floral incense— like stepping into the shadowy tent of a fortune teller and leaving with a candy necklace. Fruity, slightly chalky, candy notes ran in front of sweet lemons and dusty earth as wispy smoke trailed behind. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was much the same with wispy smoke parting as lemons, sugary candies, earth, and floral incense arrived. There was a medicinal quality to the combination— something like the bubblegum flavored tooth polish at the dentist’s office. More minerals and rock pools appeared later on with hints of green vegetation, pepper, and lemonade. The finish was medium-length with charred wood, pepper, and subtle bubble gum.

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Score: 5 (75)

Mental Image: Fortune Teller Dentist

Conclusion: The flavors were interesting with a remarkable progression from wispy smoke, to florals, candies, and finally bubblegum as everything came together. I am not a fan of bubble gum notes on my whisky; I have no idea why they are such a turn off, but that was not a twist I enjoyed on this malt. On the positive side, the spirit was incredibly well-integrated and balanced— this drank like it was a much lower proof than 59%. Overall, not a bad whisky, but the flavors were not to my taste.