Journeyman Silver Cross Whiskey Review

By Father John Rayls

Rating: B

Journeyman Silver Cross Whiskey
(Credit: John Rayls)

As some hardcore golf devotees are aware, the Silver Cross played an important part in the history of the British Open, first as an award and later as an icon representing the game’s ideal. It eventually evolved into a symbol of friendship, tradition, camaraderie and spirited competition.

It seems very appropriate for Silver Cross Whiskey from Michigan’s Journeyman Distillery to bear a similar symbolism, but also to financially support (1% of sale in the state of purchase) youth golf in the various states.The background is that golf brought Bill Welter, Journeyman’s founder, to Scotland, and it was there his love of whisky started.

The Silver Cross mashbill is easy to remember at 25% corn, 25% rye,  25% wheat and 25% barley, an odd and even split that is simply American Whiskey. It’s also bottled at 90 proof, like nearly all of the Journeyman whiskey products. The whiskey is an NAS offering, but is probably four to six months old and aged in small barrels. I sampled batch #70 and bottle #829.

The Whiskey
The whiskey is medium brown with bright gold and dull copper highlights. The legs put on an interesting show: they are thin and yet also reluctant, and fall in a seemingly never-ending procession.

There is no alcohol burn on the nose, but a constant tingling is ever present. It’s moderately aggressive, with notes of sweet corn and silo aromas (in the best sense) providing an earthy base that’s slightly salty.

The mouthfeel is lightly creamy with flavors of sweet corn, earthiness and some light pepper. The palette experience is fairly short and mostly takes place at mid-mouth, hampered by a light BB gun oil taste.

The finish was long and hot in waves. It began as pepper, but quickly transitioned to white pepper and it appeared in repeated waves.

As a side note, I tried drinking Silver Cross Whiskey while smoking a heavy Turkish pipe tobacco blend.  I found it to be much more interesting with this pairing.

This appears to be a young whiskey with all the typical advantages and disadvantages of its kind.  The distillery touts its use as a mixer, and that probably isn’t a bad suggestion.

The Price
Journeyman Distillery Silver Cross Whiskey is generally available for anywhere from $45.00 to $50.00.