Arkansas Black Straight Applejack 21 Year Old

Applejack, the first distilled spirit in the colonies, holds a significant place in American history. George Washington himself served this uniquely American spirit to the revolutionary troops. However, even after the prohibition era, there are only a few remaining producers of Applejack. This recipe is a tribute to my Great-Grandfather Arthur "Skipper" Ford, who had an apple orchard where he cultivated heirloom apples. The chosen apple variety for this recipe was the Arkansas Black, known for its tart flavor. Arkansas Black 21 Year Applejack is exclusively made from 100% apples. These apples were carefully crushed and fermented before being distilled in a small Holstein still. The resulting distillate underwent a clarification process to preserve the fresh apple taste. Subsequently, it aged for 21 years in used French Oak, creating an exquisite aroma of apple skin, vanilla, brown sugar, and Christmas spices. The palate offers a rich and sweet experience with notes of apple juice, apple skin, burnt sugar, and vanilla. The finish lingers, providing a long, rich, and warmly satisfying sensation.