Review: Ole Smoky Banana Whiskey
Ole Smoky Banana Whiskey is one of 20 flavored whiskey’s produced and bottled at Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Joe Baker founded Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in 2010. It was the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Eastern Tennessee. Currently they also produce 33 different varieties of moonshine. Ole Smoky Banana Whiskey is made from a whiskey base with a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley, and is barrel aged for 2 years. Artificial banana flavor and caramel color are blended before bottling at 60 proof. Ole Smoky Banana Whiskey was previously a Distillery Exclusive but it now available throughout the US. The aroma leads with Banana Laffy Taffy and caramel. The sweet banana entry is joined by caramel building to a banana whiskey peak. It fades with ripe banana and sweet caramel and finishes with caramel, fresh banana, cinnamon, and whiskey taste. While I would have liked a little more whiskey presence, the banana was not oversweet or syrupy. I pick up a little Laffy Taffy banana, but I also picked up natural ripe banana, along with caramel, baking spice, and whiskey notes.
Banana Ole Fashioned
2.5 Oz. Ole Smoky Banana Whiskey
1 Tsp. Simple Syrup
2 Dashes Bitters
Serve in an Ice Filled Old Fashioned Glass
Stir and Garnish With an Orange Peel and Cherry
Made in Gatlinburg Tennessee
30% Alcohol
Score: 91
Award: Gold Medal