Review | All Points West Pot Still Whiskeys

All Points West is an American craft distillery located in Newark, New Jersey. They are on a mission to revive historic whiskey styles from the past. This includes taking a ‘trans Atlantic’ approach in homage to early European settlers and their whisky making techniques. This includes sourcing cereals from both sides of the Atlantic, such as German barley and American-grown corn, and using them together.

All Points West was founded in 2017 by Gil Spaier. He purchased an old building in Newark’s Ironbound neighbourhood and installed distilling equipment, plus a tap room and bar. The distillery has built up a multi-award winning portfolio of spirits. In addition to these two whiskeys, the range includes a grain whiskey, Bone Black vodka, Kill Van Kull rum and Cathouse gin.

All Points West Mid-Atlantic Pot Still Rye and Malt And Grain Pot Still Whiskey are currently only available in the states of New York and New Jersey. They can also be ordered and delivered to most US states via the All Points West website, or collected from the distillery. Each bottle will cost US$65.

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Our Tasting Notes

All Points West Malt and Grain Pot Still

We are sampling Batch #45/ Bottle #60. This whiskey is made from Irish and German malted barley, American corn and water taken from the Newark Watersheds in the nearby Appalacian Highlands. It is bottled at 46% ABV (92 Proof) and was awarded Whiskey of The Year in 2019 at the USA Spirit Rating competition in San Francisco.

The colour is deep gold and the nose is rich, sweet and woody. Aromas of caramel, spiced vanilla and milk chocolate are quickly joined by a distinct nuttiness. Think of roasted peanuts and hazelnut praline in particular. Then come further aromas of fresh peach and dried apricot and blood orange, Some dusty spices sit underneath, as does a hint of dried banana.

On the palate this whiskey has a boldness, sweetness and mouthwatering peppery nature. It is very chocolatey upfront – think of the milk chocolate again with a hint of mocha and cocoa powder. Then plenty of oak, which grips the tastebuds and dries the mouth out towards the finish especially. Further sweetness comes in the form of caramel, hard toffee and sweet fresh orange. A hint of buttery popcorn gives way to the stone fruits from the nose, especially the peach. As the oak spice takes hold a lovely hint of cherries laced with a pinch of cinnamon comes through.

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All Points West Mid-Atlantic Pot Still Rye

We are sampling Batch #8/ Bottle #55. Reviving tradition, All Points West Distillery has recreated an authentic corn-free Mid-Atlantic Rye. This is commonly how rye whiskeys were made before the Prohibition era. This whiskey is made from rye, barley and a mix of other malted grains. It is bottled at 52% ABV (104 Proof).

The colour is a amber gold and the nose is bright, vibrant and expressive. There is a prickly and peppery spice up front, which has a rye bread-like bittersweetness. This continues with a distinct yeasty aroma, which evolves to become banana loaf. There is lots of orange peel, and a wood spice reminiscent of sandalwood. Hints of beeswax and cocktail cherry are also evident.

On the palate this whiskey is immediately woody and peppery. However, there is also an evolving sweetness with notes of caramel with a hint of maple syrup and dark chocolate developing. The yeasty note from the nose is again there, although it has more of a rye bread dough feel now. Some dusty baking spices combine nicely with a slight numbing clove spice characteristic. Hints of coco powder, red chilli and dried banana chips come through, as do further hints of dried cherry, orange oil and cigar wrapper leaf.

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What’s The Verdict?

We picked these up on our most recent visit to the US and are glad that we did. We like the story and what they are trying to do. However, a good story/marketing is fine but the liquid has to be good also. Both of these whiskeys are delicious and have real depth and complexity of character. They feel a little ‘old school’, which is the producer’s aim. This pair of whiskeys make us want to sample more from All Points West. If you are in the States, or visiting there, we hope that you can find a bottle and check them out.