Stellum Lone Cypress and Hunter's Moon

 Once again, I've reviewed two expressions from Stellum Spirits.  Firstly, The Lone Cypress - Stellum Rye, named after a tree found on the picturesque coast of the Monterey Peninsula, and the Hunter's Moon - Stellum Bourbon, when in October the nights get longer and days shorter.  Both blended from distillate, distilled in Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Lone Cypress: Delicate Rye Blend, bottled at 57.67% abv.

Colour: Russet/Muscat

Nose: Deliciously complex! Sweet, citrusy, floral, spicy.  On allowing the dram to open up, you get to appreciate the complexities of these complex interwoven aromas.

Palate: Smooth, meaty, syrupy mouthfeel.  Getting some toasted rye bread with a floral, almost elderflower note mid palate, which dissipates with a salty backend.

Finish: Long classic rye finish with lasting spice and brine, tamed by more of those floral notes.

Hunter's Moon: Inspired by the October, Hunter's Moon, bottled at 57.76% abv.Colour: Tawny

Nose: Light and fragrant initially on the nose, with sweet honeycomb, and soft vanilla notes becoming more prominent.

Palate: Touches of seductive spice and apple cinnamon, initially followed by some stewed orchard fruits, from which some oaky vanilla damp wood spice notes develop.

Finish: Medium sweet fruity finish which slowly dissipates, leaving the palate thirsty for more.

Never disappointing, these are two exceptional expressions from Stellum Spirits.  How would I some up these two rather different whiskies? Well as always, it depends on my mood, location, and company - but as an everyday easy-drinking whisky, the Lone Cypress edged it for me, but that changed once I revisited a few days later.

Seek them out, give them a go - you won't be disappointed when you're relaxing after Holiday overindulgences.

Slàinte mhath!