Cinnamon | Star fruit | Walnut | Sawdust | Oak | Rich

Burnt caramel | Walnut | Clove | Chesnut | Golden raisin | Charred oak

Walnut | Almond | Leather | Seasoned oak | Burnt caramel | Touch of ethanol

Kim McLaughlin is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. After his service, he worked on her dairy farm for 20 years before changing gears to the oil and gas industry. After 5 years, he was laid off and decided to commit to his long-time passion of whiskey-making. McLaughlin Distillery is located in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and has been open since 2016. They operate out of a small house that would pass more as a coffeehouse than an operating distillery. However, this suits them, as their no-frills label and bottle design lets the whiskey speak for itself.

The nose immediately spoils that this will be a unique-tasting whiskey, with rich scents of cinnamon, star fruit, walnut, and sawdust on its onset. The sip itself begins with burnt caramel and quickly moves to walnut, clove, and chestnut, with a hint of golden raisin. More walnut is found during the bourbon’s finish, with almond adding to this nutty-tasting bourbon. There’s a touch of ethanol at the far end, also.

The bourbon has mild graininess to it but not in the usual sense. There is a degree of youthfulness, but the grain contrasts gently with the heavy nut notes found throughout. Some will find it distracting, but it does a lot to further enhance the bourbon’s uniqueness. I would like a little more body in the bourbon’s mouthfeel, which might simply come with more time in the barrel or a higher proof. But with so many brands trying to emulate the taste of Kentucky bourbons, McLaughlin Distillery’s 3799 Bourbon is a refreshing change of pace.