Distillery: ASW Distillery – Atlanta, GA
Proof: 115.8
Age: 5 years, 7 months
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
MSRP: $75
Company
ASW Distillery is in Atlanta, GA. ASW = American Spirit Whiskey. ASW is a relatively new distillery, with its first commercial release in 2011. But they are aggressively developing labels.
As of the date of this review, they have four bourbons and one rye in the market. Each batch of Fiddler Toasted varies as they first age the whiskey then finish it in a toasted barrel.
Production
ASW Distillery calls this their “renowned foraged high-wheat bourbon.” Like its sister bourbon, Fiddler Heartwood, Toasted is 100% outsourced distillate, presumably from MGP. True to its name, Toasted is aged, barrel emptied and then finished in a toasted barrel.
We sourced the 24-002 batch directly from the Distillery. The label designer added a pleasant touch of making the label look handwritten. The age statement is 5 years, 7 months and the finish was a blended from 60% twenty-two weeks finish aging and 40% from eight weeks finish aging.
Fiddler Toasted Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Nose 4/5
Shining through right from the start is a complexity of fruit and floral. The banana notes shine through, along with a good dose of vanilla and honey notes.
Palate 4/5
This one is a very dark copper color. With the high wheat mash bill, I was expecting sweet on the palate and it did not disappoint. There is vanilla on the front along with a flavor note that conjured up memories of a bubble gum.
Finish 3.5/5
The added time in a toasted barrel brings forward charcoal notes. Those charcoal notes along with an oily mouthfeel brings a tartness that lingers and lingers and lingers some more. The tartness is not off-putting but is rather pleasant. While I didn’t do it, this would be a great bourbon to pair with a cheeseburger or other grilled red meat.
Value 3.75/5
Unlike its sister bourbon, Fiddler Heartwood (I was a hard pass) Toasted is an ASW expression that I will have in my collection and readily share with friends. At $75, it’s a bit pricey in my opinion. I’d rather see it around $65 to compete against other mid-tier wheated bourbons.
ASW Fiddler Toasted Review: The Verdict
4 / 5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.25 – 5
- Gold – 3.25 – 4.24
- Silver – 2.75 – 3.24
- Bronze – <2.75
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.