Downslope Distilling

[AKAAB]

I was at a convention in KC last week and a friend opened a bottle of Downslope Distilling's Double Diamond whiskey. I tried...I really tried to like it, but it had a very odd taste and wasn't palatable straight up, with a little water/ice, or with soda. As best as I can figure, it is a very young product and has had little to no aging. It certainly had no oaking and I really couldn't discern the basis for the flavor. The aroma was the most perplexing part. If I closed my eyes and took a whiff, I was certain I was getting ready to have a shot of tequila. When I took a sip I was immediately confused as the smell didn't match the taste even slightly.

Does anyone know the guys in Centennial that started this distillery? It looks like they haven't been in business very long (two years, maybe) and some of the online reviews I found are not very complementary of their offerings. Also, they are offering monthly distillery schools for $300. I'd pay double that for a Maker's or Jack Daniels school, but I'm not the least bit interested after tasting this whiskey.

Has anyone in Colorado tried their products?

[wildrover]

I was at a convention in KC last week and a friend opened a bottle of Downslope Distilling's Double Diamond whiskey. I tried...I really tried to like it, but it had a very odd taste and wasn't palatable straight up, with a little water/ice, or with soda. As best as I can figure, it is a very young product and has had little to no aging. It certainly had no oaking and I really couldn't discern the basis for the flavor. The aroma was the most perplexing part. If I closed my eyes and took a whiff, I was certain I was getting ready to have a shot of tequila. When I took a sip I was immediately confused as the smell didn't match the taste even slightly.

Does anyone know the guys in Centennial that started this distillery? It looks like they haven't been in business very long (two years, maybe) and some of the online reviews I found are not very complementary of their offerings. Also, they are offering monthly distillery schools for $300. I'd pay double that for a Maker's or Jack Daniels school, but I'm not the least bit interested after tasting this whiskey.

Has anyone in Colorado tried their products?

Thanks for the review. I haven't heard of them until now. Unfortunately I keep hearing these type of reviews for micro-distilleries. What is the deal? Does the average home distiller make a better product? I certainly think I make a whiskey that would review better then that. Are they just very young whiskeys or what?

[LWTCS]

Is that one of the colonel's stills?

[Prairiepiss]

Is that one of the colonel's stills?

Sure looks like it?

Surprised he didn't offer Most Wanted. It's made just north of here. Did you at least get some good Bar B Q while in town. Mite have made up for the pore drink? Did your friend like it? Why and how did he get a hold of it?

[LWTCS]

How are they marketing,,,or more specifically how do/did they represent/describe their product?

Pretty hard to compete with the omnipresent profiles (and age) most whisky snobs seem to prefer?

Try a good bender and see how life treats ya in the morn......Mehbe a better barometer for a young drop?

[AKAAB]

Is that one of the colonel's stills?

Sure looks like it?

Surprised he didn't offer Most Wanted. It's made just north of here. Did you at least get some good Bar B Q while in town. Mite have made up for the pore drink? Did your friend like it? Why and how did he get a hold of it?

Man, did we have some incredible BBQ. I'm still fighting the meat sweats from dinner at Jack Stacks! (Order the burnt tips...trust me.) We also killed a 1.75l of Makers!

As for why he bought it, my buddy drove to KC from Denver and bought a bottle purely on speculation that it might be good since it was made locally. He used it as a mixer and got through most of the bottle over the course of the week, but I couldn't drink it no matter what you put it in. Not sure he drank it because he liked it or because he didn't want to waste the money he spent on it.

[AKAAB]

Double-Diamond Whiskey

Have you ever had really good Irish whiskey? The kind that makes you taste it (not drink it) to excess. We have. And then, we decided we could do better. Our whiskey follows the Irish tradition of being made predominantly with malted barley, the other fraction is rye which contributes a spiciness that is our signature. The whiskey is aged in very small experienced medium toast casks and then blended. The result is a light colored extraordinarily smooth whiskey that tastes of vanilla and honey and spice and wood.

Sadly, none of the flavors they profess to have in the whiskey came through on the palate. It has nothing resembling any Irish whiskey I've ever had.

I'm wondering if they might be doing better with their various rums.

[blind drunk]

Sadly, none of the flavors they profess to have in the whiskey came through on the palate. It has nothing resembling any Irish whiskey I've ever had.

So many things aren't what they profess. Welcome to the future.

[Prairiepiss]

Man, did we have some incredible BBQ. I'm still fighting the meat sweats from dinner at Jack Stacks! (Order the burnt tips...trust me.) We also killed a 1.75l of Makers!

As for why he bought it, my buddy drove to KC from Denver and bought a bottle purely on speculation that it might be good since it was made locally. He used it as a mixer and got through most of the bottle over the course of the week, but I couldn't drink it no matter what you put it in. Not sure he drank it because he liked it or because he didn't want to waste the money he spent on it.

I'm glad you got a good taste of something while you visited KC. Jack Stack ain't bad. But there are so many around here. And new ones pop up all the time. Some are good some not so. But there are a few little hole in the walls that I would say are the best. But Visitors don't find them. Truthfully my goto BBQ is not my favorite at all. We just get such good service there it makes it better.

I was thinking your friend was from here. Now it makes since why he bought it. Thanks for the review. I will be sure to stay away from it.

[rubber duck]

I've had one of their vodkas, (I can't remember what one it was, I think it was the cane) I recall that it was pretty good. Not much burn and as good or better as any other premium vodka.

I haven't had their whiskey. I don't know what's going on with these new malt whiskeys but there are a few good ones out there. Thing is you have to pay 60 bucks to find out, I have a few bottles that are going to the VM.

[mitchabate]

I am the Distiller for Downslope. I want to point out before I begin that our whiskey has won the following awards:

American Distilling Institute - Silver Metal - 2011
2011 International Review of Spirits - Chicago - Silver Metal
2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Silver Metal

Most of the threads on this topic are plain wrong. First of all the the spirit is an Irish style and it is an aged spirit. (Taste it side by side) - One cannot remember tastes.

It is not to be compared to a bourbon - our whiskey is a lighter style (not using corn) - The sales of our whiskey have increased 5 fold - I doubt that it is because it is inferior. One should taste many whiskies before commenting on our spirit.

As far as our classes are concerned we have had over 100 people take them and everyone has been very happy and have thanked us.

I hope people in this thread will do more research before commenting on things they know nothing about.

Thank You for your time - Mitch Abate mitch@downslopedistilling.com

[rad14701]

mitchabate, you don't have any control over reviews and/or opinions of your products any more than any other distillery does... If your products were available outside of Colorado more folks might be inclined to try them and post their individual reviews... Also, don't for a moment entertain the idea that members here don't have discernible palates... Many members here know how to make spirits that rival the major commercial brands and can detect the subtle notes that various spirits possess...

From visiting your site I have to agree that your whiskey is definitely on the lighter side... Not that that's a bad thing, just unusual for a US distilled whiskey... Several grains other than corn make fine straight whiskeys... Perhaps not to the likings of those who prefer a fuller bodied spirit, however...

As an aside, it would be nice if you site used more browser real estate and utilized a larger font... Scrolling down a small content box to read small text on a wrinkled parchment background might deter some folks for spending time reading what you've got to say... Take that advice at face value from someone who does web design on a daily basis...

Stop by and let us know if you release new products or expand your product area...

[LWTCS]

Think part of the problem is that more often than not,,, the white dogs,,,and "moonshine" styled products all get lumped together with a lot of the other micro distilled products that have a bourbon styled grain bill.....At my big box likker store they got all the new born whiskies stocked smack dab in the middle of the entire bourbon section. There fore One judges against the remainder of the field. But as you mention,,,,you've got no corn in the grain bill.

I hope people in this thread will do more research before commenting on things they know nothing about.

See I wish you could have worded this differently because in truth,,this is not about a comparison to bourbon as such,,,,The OP commented that he could not drink it period....Some folks like liver and onions and some folks don't. Some folks luv Jack,,,,and sum folks will never.......same for Bacarrdi,,,and Cappy M.....

I have tippled with the OP and know that he is not all that hard to convince to have another round.
Most folks here do spend an inordinate amount of time paying attention to such matters.

But absolutely understand your position and very glad to have you speak up.
Cheers
Larry

[AKAAB]

The Customer Is Always Wrong

Mitch,

Welcome to HD. Having the input from microdistillers is a greatly appreciated resource that can help our community understand just how hard it is to produce a marketable product.

That said, indicting my opinion of the batch I tried and insulting everyone's ability to discern good spirits from bad is not going to do much to build your customer base here. I note that you were quick to bristle when a review was posted on the Rum Howler Blog. http://therumhowlerblog.wordpress.com/w ... nd-whisky/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

At the time, you admitted your whiskey was being used by bars as a mixer and the product was young. I seriously doubt the particular batch I tasted had any relation to anything you produced to win medals. Maybe it was a young batch. I have no way to know that. What I do know is that I appreciate a very wide variety of distilled spirits and can tell a good one from a marginal one.

Rather than attack my opinion, how about some open discussion of the tastes and unusual smells I described? What would cause the disconnect between the taste and the tequila aroma? Helping us understand your offering will do a lot more good than reciting its pedigree or awards.

[Bull Rider]

Mitch:
You can't learn if you can't listen. You have some valuable input here from your "customer(s)" at zero cost to you, and you come on here an posture that it's the customers that have it wrong. OhhhhhhhhhKay.

You need someone to vet your input.



Bull.

[AKAAB]

I'm not sure you'll get much response to your classified ad offering your distilling school if you refuse to engage in an open discussion about your product.

Just sayin'...

[Bushman]

Wow, I missed the first series when this thread started. Larry I think it is one of the Colonel's stills, we have one here in Washington at one of the micro distilleries that looks the same but slightly different setup at the top of the column. We have had a lot of reviews about different micro distilleries and I think this is the first time we've had the distiller respond back. I have made several reviews in the past some good and some not to my liking. However I know that micro distilling for the most part is in an infant stage as our laws have changed. Making a good liquor is important for the micro distillery because of the scale they work on. It is a tough market, I would say one needs to listen to their customers especially one's that have a little more knowledge than the average joe walking in off the street. Maybe you can PM AKAAB and start a dialog that will be beneficial to you. RAD also gave you some good info you should listen too. I am not saying everyone here is always right and your wrong as everyone has a different opinion and taste so take it for what it's worth.

[AKAAB]

I tried to engage Mitch in an open dialog, but he disappeared. It looks like he registered a new account so he could post his ad?

The request still stands for him to enjoy an enlightening conversation on flavor profiles and his product. Frankly, he's painting a pretty negative picture of himself and Downslope Distilling with his approach to online communication. I hope he re-engages with a more informative and positive approach.

We're all friends here, Mitch, and would love to discuss your take on distilling.

Just like your online "contact us" page says, we welcome your "comments, praise, beratements, or other verbal detritus..."

[Waygrumpy]

This is a quick note for the guys at downslope. I had every intention of taking the february class and still may but this type of arrogance does not make me as excited about sitting through the class. I have some shopping to do tommorow and am only about 1 hour away so hopefully can find a bottle of their hooch.

I will give another opinion if i can find a bottle.

[Waygrumpy]

I am a bit confused.

As I said I would do, I went and tried to find a bottle of Downslope Distilling Whiskey and try a dram.

I looked all over town and was unable to find a bottle even though I am less the 60 minutes from Denver.

I went to downslopes website and it said .

Currently Double-Diamond whiskey is only available in our tasting room and only in 1 liter wooden casks
Malt Whisky – In Process

These were the only 2 whiskeys I saw on their site under products.

Is this something they have pulled off the shelf?

[rad14701]

Waygrumpy, it wouldn't surprise me if a startup distillery was to sell out of inventory... That is the most likely explanation unless someone reports otherwise...

[easyone]

Having taken the class from the guys at downslope last feb, I can only recommend it. It's just 3 guys making it work, that's it. No arrogance involved at all. They want every micro disstiller to make great stuff Good quality and made by hand. I figure we all stir by hand and so do these guys. After volunteering for a day, after the the class my respect only increased. Tossing 50# bags,stirring by hand, bottling and capping one at time by hand. I gotta give Mitch a lot of credit for doing it. He spent years travelling and researching .I find there whiskey at the liquor barn in my part of the world. (GJT). But give them a call if your looking. They still answer the phone....

[RumBrewer]

I know this is an old thread, and I'm not disrespecting anyone's opinions here.
What I do know, is that when I toured the distillery, we tried almost everything that they make, and it was all VERY good! Different, but good.
As Mitch pointed out, their double diamond whiskey is NOT Jack Daniels. It has a very distinctive flavor. It is very light, and it is quite different from most whiskey i've tasted.
I also would like to point out that they have a VERY Small distillery, and they are certainly selling out full batches to local stores, and I doubt that they'll be able to provide product outside of Colorado any time soon.

[RevSpaminator]

I can't speak for any micro distiller in particular, but I imagine that there are a lot opened by people who've never touched a still before. It isn't like beer brewing, where you can get an idea about how the process should work before you move to something bigger. Legally, you can't even try a few runs to get the feel of the equipment before Big Brother gives you his blessing. Sure, there are a few home distillers that will go legit, but I'm guessing many are going into the distillation business totally blind. Am I wrong?

[rubber duck]

I don't think anyone goes through all the paperwork and invests thousands of dollars without making at least a few runs on the down low. It's hard to say, I think just about everyone going into it has been a hobbyist, or worked at a plant at some point.

[Oxbo Rene]

Naw ! ! ! !
Too small for me ! ! !
Not enough big pics/info ........
Not enough info to keep me interested .......