Olivia Taylor
Bend & Steal American Whiskey: Floral, Lemony, and Strange
Firefly Distillery, based in North Charleston, SC, has been producing amazing flavored vodka, rum, and moonshine products since 2006. In 2021 they began producing their own bourbons, and they recently released Bend & Steal American Whiskey, an expansion of their original distillery-only release. Let’s look at this new expression more closely:
Nose
The nose of Bend & Steal American Whiskey is strongly honey-forward with a strong floral undertone. Hints of fresh mint and light rye grain complete the aroma, creating a great opening to the sip.
Palate
The palate is composed of more honeydew and lemon, with a light lavender note accompanying them. Everything is quite light, with a pleasant overall feel.
Finish
The finish is the whiskey’s most perplexing part; an almond note is up against sugarcane and rye spice. There is also a strange offputting note present that detracts from the overall sip.
Overall
In conclusion, Bend & Steal American Whiskey is a light-tasting whiskey with a unique blend of flavors. While it features some interesting notes, not all of them are necessarily welcome. As Firefly Distillery matures, their whiskey releases will likely become more consistent and fit better together.
Classification: Whiskey
Company: Tom & Huck Distillers
Distillery: Firefly Distillery and sourced from undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky and Indiana
Release Date: July 2023
Proof: 80
Age: NAS (Aged at least 4 years per TTB regulations)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Light Copper
MSRP: $33 / 750mL (2023)
I have tried Bend & Steal American Whiskey and, although it has some interesting and unique notes, the strange offputting note in the finish detracted from the overall taste. I believe as Firefly Distillery continues to mature their whiskey releases, they will improve and become more consistent.
I am intrigued by the unique flavor profile of Bend & Steal American Whiskey, particularly the combination of floral and citrus notes. However, the strange offputting note on the finish is a bit concerning. I look forward to seeing how Firefly Distillery’s whiskey matures in future releases.
Bend & Steal American Whiskey offers a unique blend of flavors that may be enjoyed by some, but the strange and offputting note on the finish may not be for everyone. It’s an interesting expression from a distillery known for their flavored spirits and shows potential for future whiskey releases.
Bend & Steal American Whiskey offers a unique experience with its floral and citrus flavors, but the strange offputting note in the finish may not be for everyone. As Firefly Distillery continues to produce bourbons, we can expect their releases to become more refined.