Summer fruits | Ripe grapes | Light caramel | Touch of vanilla | Light but surprisingly fruity

Dab of brown sugar | Oak | Faint peaches covered in vanilla | Dab of caramel | Slight rye spice | Thin & watery mouthfeel

White peppercorn spice | Light oak | Fleeting caramel | Short

Du Nord Mixed Blood Whiskey is produced by Du Nord Social Spirits out of Minneapolis, Minnesota which is America’s first (legal) Black-owned distillery. According to the company, “Distilling in Black communities is older than the United States, but when it came time to build the nation's commercial breweries and distilleries, Black people were specifically excluded. Du Nord is the first fully-operational Black-owned distillery to be federally licensed, but we follow a long tradition of distilling in the Black community.”

The sip, which is a blend of high-rye bourbon and additional undisclosed whiskeys, opens with a surprisingly fruity nose, as hints of summer fruits and ripe grapes jump out. While on the lighter side, it’s a delightful beginning. Unfortunately, the rest of the sip isn’t able to keep pace with these aromas. Instead, the palate delivers more traditional whiskey flavors along with an intriguing note of peaches and vanilla with a thin and watery delivery. The finish contains more typical flavors of spice, oak, and caramel, however, they fall on the lighter side and quickly fade. Overall Du Nord Mixed Blood Whiskey shows promises of what the company is capable of, as is highlighted by its nose, but in its current format it ends up lacking. I look forward to revisiting this brand down the road, and hopefully next time at a higher proof point.