Tamworth Distilling is a craft distillery out of New Hampshire. Founder Steven Grasse (a 2023 Food & Wine Drinks Innovator of the Year) introduces a bit of a Wonka-esque approach to the industry. Grasse is the marketer who, in 1999, dreamed up Hendrick’s Gin. Fast forward to 2015, Tamworth was born and now produce over 55 products, of which I'm sure you won't find anywhere else. From their Sylvan Mist Gin, a consumable cocktail garnish that branches between both scent and spirit as a wearable woodsy unisex fragrance and cocktail modifier to Crab Trapper, a bourbon base steeped with a green crab, corn and low-country boil blend mixture to aid in the invasive green crab population. We also can't forget Graverobber Unholy Rye, infused with maple syrup tapped from graveside maple trees from their nearby unmarked Colonial era graveyard.
We are back with their latest concept - Spruce & Goose - goose flavored whiskey. Yep. You read it right.
For those daring to challenge their taste perception, they bring you their most exquisite Spruce & Goose. Made with handpicked white spruce and locally roasted goose. These distillates are blended with dried plums and a 2 year old column distilled bourbon whiskey. The spruce is super fresh and piney, balanced by the heavier notes of roasted goose and the candy fruity notes of delicate plum.
Tamworth really is creating some of the most unique spirits products out there, and if you are daring, this one may be worth a deeper look.
Unsurprisingly, the winter forest aromas are quite prevalent here. Surprisingly, they are rather enjoyable. Just a whiff of smoke, lots of fresh pine , and plenty of lingering candied fruits.
The palate is viscous for 100 proof, drinking more like a mash-up of a clarified old fashioned sweetened with agave syrup and a gin-based cocktail. There is plenty of fruit here, saturating like a wine finished bourbon, but trailing more traditional with vanilla, light spice, and gentle oak.
The finish is quick and pleasant, truthfully more layered than I’d have expected. While perfumed from the spruce and plum, it continually reveals depth and texture that rival many other finished whiskeys in the market.
