Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/869846
september 2017 / the tasting panel / 79 Fortman was also tasked with building and creating the Southwest Distillery's staff and culture. "They allowed me to handpick a team, and I had the unique opportunity to start from scratch," he says. "I'm proud of the people on our team." Southwest's roots go deep in the beverage industry and act as a solid foundation for spirits creation. "It starts with our DNA as a juice and alternative beverage manufacturer before Southwest became a distill- ery. Therefore, our blending and expertise with the usage of natural flavors gives us a platform to create great tasting products that are consis- tent," adds Howard. One of Fortman's goals at Southwest is to bring a "Texas feel" to their whiskies. "We're trying to do some- thing unique. I love the bourbons of the Midwest, but we give ours a different flair," he says. "We have 16 different batches of whiskey to pull from at any one time. When I blend these barrels, I have a nice library to choose from and I can get a great palate out of the best whiskies out there." The Dallas heat brings its own inimitable quality to the bourbons aged at Southwest. Adds Howard, "Although we lose a little more than usual to the 'angels' share,' the expansion and contraction of the liquid brings out great characteristics from the wood. It intensifies the aging process." One such whiskey to undergo this dis- tinctive process is Southwest's J.R. Ewing Bourbon. Styled and named after the famed Dallas character, this bourbon has clearly resonated with its Texas audience. The final product hails from a variety of locations throughout the South, making it as multidimensional as its namesake. "J.R. Ewing is a six-year-old bourbon from Tennessee, an eight-year-old bourbon from Kentucky plus a one-year-old bourbon from Indiana," Howard explains. "We finish J.R. Ewing in Dallas to produce a one-of-a-kind bourbon." J.R. Ewing has a mild, citrusy-sweet complexity to it with a light, spiced honey finish, making it a well-balanced offering for connoisseurs or those simply intrigued by the name. "It's available in some great hotels and steakhouses across Texas," adds Barefoot. "We also created a unique holiday package for it, making it a great gift for the holidays." Southwest Distillery also recently released Knockmore, an Irish whiskey geared toward bourbon and scotch drinkers that's now available in 19 states. A four-year-old whiskey blended with eight- to ten-year-old malt whiskeys, Knockmore is aged in flame-charred bourbon barrels to produce intense vanilla notes with a lingering spice fin- ish. "Knockmore is a new breed of Irish whiskey. You don't need a pickleback for us," says Barefoot. Southwest Distillery's growth since 2013 proves it has the culture, quality and product to sustain Howard's goal to develop it into "one of the largest and most reputable spirits producers" in the region. "Our long-term mission statement includes becoming the preferred spirits solution company for other companies, as well as for our distributor partners," he adds. "We have the capabilities and the capacity of larger commercial distilleries, therefore Southwest is nimble and can create and accelerate product development quicker than most competitors in the industry." Title No. 21 American Whiskey The 21st Amendment was the repeal of Prohibition, so this aptly-named spirit is an inspirational message from our past and into the future for the production of small batch whiskeys. A lightly-perfumed nose of orange marmalade and oak is pleasant and welcoming. The mouthfeel is satiny, with a chili pepper on oatmeal twist that tops sweet, honeyed pine- apple. At 80-proof, it's wonderfully approachable, and the pekoe orange tea finish is perfect. 95 —M.M. Knockmore Irish Whiskey With a light golden color and a soft-spoken nose of tart green apples and grassy springtime hillsides, this 80-proofer has an air of vibrancy to it. Aged in flame-charred bourbon casks, the liquid's texture swathes the tongue with a husky taste of wood and roasted cashews while sun-drenched peach flavors line the mouth. The lean, caramel finish is dotted with white pepper. 96 —M.M. J.R. Ewing Private Reserve Bourbon This 80-proof whiskey has been reformulated and shows itself as an elegant American sipper. Scents of apricot, fresh summer peach, but- ternut squash and a touch of salinity are fascinating combinations. White pepper trickles down the throat as the stone fruit notes rise, softening out to a finish of syrup-like textured honey. 95 —M.M.