State 38 WI McKenzie Peated Whiskey Review

By Emily Mullis

Rating: B+

State 38
(Credit: Emily Mullis)

Situated in the foothills of the Rockies, State 38 Distilling Company offers an array of spirits from gin to vodka, brandy, and of course, whiskey. State 38 only uses organic and local sources to craft their small-batch spirits, taking the time and effort to distill products that represent their origins, such as their WI McKenzie.

WI McKenzie is a peated whiskey, though considerably softer than what you get with an Islay malt like Laphroaig. Even so, the final product is, I think, a cousin of whiskies distilled on Islay. State 38’s peat-smoked, malted grains all come from Scotland, showing the dedication they are willing to give in order to create a well-crafted, Scottish-style whiskey. Each batch of grain is fermented in 250-gallon tanks, then double-distilled. White oak barrels are used to age the whiskey with extra staves are added to enhance the flavor profile.

I know I was thoroughly impressed by this peat-smoked whiskey the first time I tried it. Despite not having much complexity to it, WI McKenzie provides a rich palate to balance out the smoke, giving the whiskey a warm, lighter flavor that I find especially nice in the winter months.

The Whiskey
WI McKenzie sits at the minimum 40% ABV, 80 proof. In the bottle, its coloring is light amber and almost yellow in a glass.

As to be expected, the peat is going to hit your nose first, before any softer oak notes can get through. If you’re eager to get past the peat nose, then I would suggest taking a few extra open mouth whiffs.

The mouth is not quite as heavy with regards to the peat, not like I was expecting at least. Surprisingly, I didn’t get the peat flavor right away, instead, I tasted a warm sweetness very much resembling maple syrup and hints of chocolate, even caramel. After having a second glass, I was able to pick out notes of vanilla as well. It is a light, sweet whiskey.

There is a gentle burn on the back end accompanied by the peat and notes of oak in the after taste. It’s not at all jarring as the sweetness carries over softly but if you’re looking for a peated taste all the way through, strong and overwhelming, WI McKenzie might disappoint. It’s softer, warm but not burning.

The Price
It’s generally marked at $50, which seems a bit much, but since State 38 takes such measures to provide so much Scottish influence, I’d say it’s worth it.