DSR – TX – 003: Lone Elm Small Batch Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey
Company/Distillery: Five Points Distilling
Location: Forney, Texas
Mash Bill: 90% Wheat and 10% Malted Barley
Age Statement: No Age Statement
Proof/ABV: 90 Proof/45% ABV
Color & Viscosity: This Lone Elm Straight Wheat Whiskey from Five Points Distilling offers a burnt umber color in the bottle. As it is poured into the tasting vessel, this whiskey presents a light mahogany in color. Initially razor thin, this whiskey quickly grows to a medium to thick viscous line. Legs develop very late, about midway down the side of the glass, then glide rather swiftly to the belly of the tasting vessel.
Purchase Price: $47.96 from the North Carolina ABC; 750 ml
Bottle Label Information:
Front Label
“Lone Elm”
“Premium Texas Spirits”
“Small Batch Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey”
“Distilled From Grain In Forney, TX”
“Certified Texas Whiskey”
“Distilled and Bottled By Five Points Distilling, Forney, TX”
“Aged in New Oak Barrels”
“Soft winter wheat transformed by American white oak barrels and intense Texas sun to deliver a mellow and sweet spirit with a hearty finish hinting of vanilla and dried cherries.”
Distillery Background
Five Points Distillery
Five Points Distillery is located just east of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in the city of Forney, Texas. Five Points Distillery was formed by four college buddies in 2011 upon returning from a disappointing visit to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in which they were unable to find and purchase anything worth having. As the foursome of Bill Wofford, John Freeman, James Jolly, and Dave Coussens sat around a fire, they decided that it was time to embark on a new adventure. And thus began the idea of starting a Texas distillery.
Land was purchased in the farmlands of Forney, Texas and Vendome Still Manufacturers was brought in to help design the set up needed to get the distillery up and running. After a considerable blood, sweat, and tears were shed, the distillery would make its first batch of whiskey in 2013. Lone Elm chose to make their products wheat forward due in part to their love of the Weller line of products and also due to the main crop available locally to them being wheat. They decided to make the best of the situation they were handed, with a lack of corn being readily available.
As is the case with many of these craft distilleries, Five Points Distillery procures all of its wheat, rye, and barley from local farmers in their area. The residual spent mash is then returned to the farmers for use as cow feed.
Current Product Line: Lone Elm Single Barrel Straight Wheat Whiskey, Lone Elm Small Batch Straight Wheat Whiskey, and Lone Elm Wheat Vodka.
For additional information about the distillery and their products, visit their website: lone-elm.com.
Lone Elm Small Batch Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey
Lone Elm Small Batch Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey is distilled, aged and bottled on-site at the Forney, Texas Distillery. Locally sourced Texas wheat and barley are used to make up the 90% wheat and 10% barley mashbill. The mash is fermented for 7 days using a proprietary blend of yeast strains. Distillation occurs in a 500-gallon Vendome pot still and last for approximately 12 hours. The barrels used for aging are made by Independent Stave Company out of Missouri. Five Points Distillery prefers a #3 char with toasted stave added. The whiskey we tasted was aged in 15-gallon barrels for at least 4 years however, Five Points Distillery has begun using 53-gallon barrels.
Tasting Notes
Tasting Date/Vessel: November 19, 2021 – Neat in Glencairn Glass; Then with a splash of distilled water.
Nose
Christian: In the bottle, this Lone Elm Straight Wheat Whiskey is amazingly tantalizing with rich tobacco, sweet brown sugar and raisins all standing strong. In my Glencairn glass, the whiskey has a touch of fruity sweetness that emerges. Light pastry dough, dark black cherries, and a touch of bubble gum are all present. A gentle swirl allows notes of brown sugar and a touch of oak barrel to sneak into the nose. The addition of a few drops of distilled water really allows a sugary sweet note to jump from the glass. Rich caramel sauce, fresh pastry, and a hint of clove all provide a delicious aroma.
Mike: From the bottle, my nose is met with notes of chewing tobacco, fresh brown sugar, and dried fruits. Nosing this whiskey from the glass, it has a rush of bubblegum sweetness. As I nose in deeper, earthy tones develop and intermingle with soft oak char. A swirl of the glass releases a gentle bouquet of bubble gum and soft baking spices, with just a touch of ethanol burn in the nostrils. As this whiskey settles in the glass, toasted cinnamon aromas are forthcoming then a faint hint of sweetened oatmeal emerges as I begin to pull the glass away from my nose.
Mouth
Christian: The mouthfeel on this whiskey is thin and silky smooth. My first sip is not nearly as sweet as I had expected given the nose. A second pass allows for loads of leather to fill the palate. This is accompanied by a touch of tobacco, baking spice, and oak barrel char. This pour offers a lot of flavor however, is not super complex with multiple layers. The distilled water allows the leather flavor to stand out alone. There is a hit of spice present but it is very complementary to the overall experience.
Mike: Wow! This offering from Five Points Distilling packs a punch of toasted oak and barrel char initially. Cigar tobacco flavors hit mid-palate, tendering an agreeable change of pace from the oak and barrel char opening. A second pass delivers rich notes of leather with a singe of cigar smoke. There is a subtle sweetness that develops on the back end with a whisper of cinnamon heat.
Finish
Christian: Lone Elm Straight Wheat Whiskey has a medium finish that warms deep within the chest and lasts for a noticeable amount of time. This whiskey is punching over its proof point, which isn’t a bad thing, in my opinion. Oak barrel char dominates here. I notice a quick-hitting sweetness in the finish that quickly transitions to a little bitterness from the barrel. Long after the whiskey has been swallowed, notes of apple, baking spice, and a touch of smokiness sneak into the picture. Adding the distilled water takes a bit of the zip out of this pour however it doesn’t tone down the bitterness much. The barrel influence is most noticeable now in the pour.
Mike: Lone Elm Straight Wheat Whiskey offers a medium to long finish. The burn develops in the lower esophagus then lingers terrifically mid chest as it dispels slowly. I’m pleased with the sweet and smoky finish that lingers on the palate.
Our Rating
Final Thoughts
Christian: I enjoyed this offering of Lone Elm Small Batch Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey. The pour offers a beautiful color and fantastic nose – both of which are hugely important as we all taste first with our nose and eyes. On the palate, the pour is a little bit more one dimensional than one would have expected, given the nose. The pour wraps up with a nice finish that offers a solid zip and warming sensation. I do think that a little time in the glass to sit only enriches the experience. I am concerned that a price point of $47 in North Carolina could be a barrier to the product gaining traction with cheaper alternatives available at half the price. If you have a chance and want to try something that comes with a unique flavor profile, give this a shot!
Rating: 3.33 Rickhouses
Mike: It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for anything wheated. Bourbon, whiskey, beer, BREAD…it doesn’t matter–you had me at the word wheat. I like this offering from Five Points. It is not overly complex with flavor but offers some unique characteristics that other wheated bourbons or whiskies I’ve sampled, do not offer. This is a full bodied and hardy whiskey that comes in at 90 proof, although it drinks a touch hotter than that. The cost is on the higher side for a craft whiskey but shouldn’t be prohibitive for a seasoned consumer. If you’re a fan of wheaters or wheat whiskey, give this one a try for a distinct experience.
Rating: 3.25 Rickhouses
Gallery
