Vermont’s jade rolling hills, lined with boulevards of glinting maple trees, are a land of natural grandeur that seems to be the birthright of its inhabitants all their lives. The aroma of maple syrup slowly cooking in a sugarhouse is as genuinely Vermont as its autumn pungency. Christian Stromberg, heart and soul of Saxtons River Distillery, was attracted by that same quality when he started his company. His aspiration was to bring his family tradition of Lithuanian roots making strong liqueurs to Vermont’s fabled flavor profiles. And lo? A line of spirits that captures the Green Mountain State in every glass.
- Maple Lifestyle: Vermonter know the magic of maple syrup, pancake toppings to candies.
- Roots in the Community: Local is not fad but devotion to Vermont farmers and heritage.
- Nature’s Purview: The state’s landscapes dictate everything, from food to drink, including the product of Stromberg.
This wasn’t about trends and producing another run-of-the-mill spirit but being true to Vermont. Stromberg’s Sapling product where maple and honey-infused whiskey intersect is an ode to his native state. Every bottle is a testament to dedication to local taste, with 100% Grade A maple syrup and Vermont honey from clean earth emerging. From maple bourbon to honey bourbon, these bourbons are a testament to place and pride. They’re not drinks bottled Vermont heritage, made in love and vision.
The Sapling series is unique in its authenticity and in the way it speaks to those who understand Vermont’s heart. Regardless of whether it was homegrown or visiting, these spirits capture the essence of a Vermont evening by the fire. The quality to which the distillery strives guarantees each bottle a hymn to the natural richness of the state. For those who grew up tapping sap from trees or enjoying maple creemees as children, Sapling is a familiar friend. It’s a hymn to what makes Vermont tastes special to the world.
Sapling Line: Savoring Vermont’s Finest
Sapling line of products is a declaration of innovation using ancient whiskey mixed with Vermont’s famous maple and honey. Bourbons worth savoring include maple liqueur, maple bourbon, honey bourbon, double barrel maple bourbon, and maple rye, each with varying flavor. All are made locally, hence the liquors carry the essence of Vermont countryside. Such commitment to location makes each beverage a walk through a maple grove. Noteworthy that these spirits have gained the love of whiskey lovers and Vermonters at large.
- Maple Liqueur: Sweet, anywhere-you-go brandy perfect for cocktails or straight.
- Maple Bourbon: Maple warmth and crisp whiskey heat.
- Honey Bourbon: Potent, subtle sweetness always popular.
- Double Barrel Maple Bourbon: Full, rich depth with extra aging to deepen character.
- Maple Rye: Peppery rye base swaddled in maple syrup sweetness blanket.
In addition to the Sapling line, Saxtons River Distillery also releases other gems including Snowdrop Gin and Perc coffee liqueur, both of which also come in barrel-aged iterations that add further complexity. These are a sign of the distillery’s versatility, but the Sapling line is better. They all invite you to enjoy Vermont in some special fashion, from the honey softness to the maple strength. They’re perfect for quiet evenings at home or wild parties with friends. The Sapling line is an example of Stromberg’s talent for balancing tradition and creativity.
For Vermonters, the Sapling spirits are not just drinks they’re home. They remind them of sugaring season, when friends and neighbors come together to celebrate the harvest of the land. The distillery’s commitment to quality and place resonates with everyone who’s ever had the attraction of Vermont’s charm. Whether enjoyed neat or used to make a cocktail, these whiskeys put a little bit of the Green Mountains in your glass. Now let’s take a look at Sapling’s lineup, which includes four interpretations that redo flavored whiskey.
Sapling Honey Bourbon: Sweet Bear Hug
Sapling Honey Bourbon is as cozy and welcoming as a Vermont afternoon bear hug and is priced a warm $30 to $60 with bright 40% ABV. Honey-hued, the color glows in the glass, clear but silky, inviting you to stop for a moment to appreciate its adorableness. It’s the kind of spirit that’s almost too lovely to consume, but believe me, you won’t be able to. This bourbon prepares the palate for some fantastic experience, bringing together local honey and old-fashioned whiskey character. It’s a great starting point for the Sapling series’ charm.
- Visual Attraction: The honey-gold color recalls Vermont’s fields of gold.
- Easy Entry: Its 40% ABV is most welcome to every palate.
- Local Honey: Harvested from Vermont beehives, to remain faithful to its provenance.
In the nose, it blows honey sweetness gently without drowns your senses, as light and free as a summer breeze across an open meadow of wildflowers. Soft vanilla aromas enfold a calming explosion of orange peel, for a rich and effervescent aroma that’s not coarse but an invitation to lean forward and enjoy the moment. The scent is similar to waking up to the break of dawn in Vermont, full of promise of a wonderful day to come. It’s a scent that puffs you up even before you even get to taste it. Palate-wise, the Sapling Honey Bourbon is silky smooth and magnificent.
The honey is present, clean and pure, never getting even close to cloying sweetness. Orange and vanilla notes from the bouquet linger, an equally balanced flavor that is comfort in a glass like no other, freshly baked loaf of honey-covered bread. A crowd pleaser in the masses, it scores a clean 3 out of 5 for balance and blending. Consumed neat or squeezed with a tincture of citrus, this bourbon delivers Vermont sweetness in every glass.
Double Barrel Maple Bourbon: The Crown Jewel
The Double Barrel Maple Bourbon, priced $45 to $60 with a robust 45% ABV, is the Sapling line’s crown jewel. The amber hue shines in the glass, promising the depth of additional time in oak wood. The liquor itself is rich and promising, a Vermont autumn evening in a glass. It promises to provide a multi-dimensional, layered experience as beautiful as it is fulfilling. You can almost feel the craftsmanship without ever taking a drink.
- Amply Colored: Deep amber pairs seamlessly with its double-barrel aging.
- Highter ABV: At 45% ABV, it’s a strong but silky ride.
- Maple Spotlight: Vermont’s best syrup shines in the forefront here.
The scent is the maple aficionado’s dream, with straight-up maple syrup reigning supreme, unapologetic and strong. Deep prune undertones, hot sassafras spice, and autumn spice’s whisper meld, redolent of a sugarhouse in process. It’s standing in a Vermont woods where leaves are falling and there’s a fire burning nearby. The scent is sensual, warm, and deeply evocative of everyone who’s weathered a New England fall. It promises an truly decadent tasting experience.
In the palate, smooth silky bourbon is overcome by maple but never too much. Barrel-supplied oak and vanilla tango on a whiff of spice to assemble a naturally balanced, evenly distributed flavor. Sweet vanilla and creamy maple linger in a medium finish, eager to be savored further. Deserving a 4 out of 5, the whiskey will need to be preserved and sipped slowly, urging you to relish its subtlety. It’s a champion that embodies Vermont tradition and craftsmanship.
Sapling Maple Bourbon: Maple Connoisseur’s Treat
The Sapling Maple Bourbon, at 35% ABV and between $45 and $60, is the lighter version of the maple theme. The pale brown hue of deep sheen evokes memories of thinned maple syrup that enhances the flavor of the whiskey. It is not as full-bodied as the Double Barrel but as endearing, imparting a stripped-down maple sensation. The bourbon smells like a fresh Vermont morning with promise and sweetness. It is a cocktail to settle into its simplicity and savor.
- Light Color: The light color has a straightforward maple concentration.
- Lower ABV: Smooth and easy-drinking at 35%.
- Vermont Syrup: Local maple offers true flavor.
Not as full-bodied as the Double Barrel, with vanilla at the lead and maple a close second. There is a peppery spice, light but frustrating, that provides a sporting zing, such as you bit into something you didn’t anticipate when you took those pancakes. It’s a warm, comforting scent, one that reminds you of Vermont diner breakfasts, well-loved and cozy. The aroma invites you to sit back, put worries aside, and give the moment to comfort. It is an aroma that invites everyone who loves the Green Mountain State to partake. To consume this bourbon is to drink from a jug of maple syrup tapped into whiskey it’s pungent and unrepentantly sweet.
The maple overwhelms, nearly interring the bourbon’s less obvious suggestions, but that’s all its charm. It’s perfect for those who require good old-fashioned maple fix, with sugaring season imprisoned in every single draught. It picked up a 3.5 of 5 and, as far as fall cocktail ingredient goes, is perfect as a hot toddy, giving it warmth and theatrics. For maple aficionados, the spirit stands like a festive salutation to the state’s unique taste.
Maple Rye: A Flavored Dance
The Sapling Maple Rye was released at 35% ABV and falls at an interval of $45 to $60. Red-gold in color, it shines like Vermont leaves on late fall afternoons in the light of a fading sun. This spirit offers something new in a marriage of maple sweetness and rye spiciness, something that greets us as a dramatic visual one. It’s a personality-driven, high-octane cocktail, charged with energy, ready to dazzle and amaze. To rye lovers, it’s a must-have Vermont-made.
- Vivid Color: The red gold color bellows autumn warmth.
- Rye Backbone: The rye spiciness cuts across the maple sweetness.
- Local Sourcing: Vermont maple syrup makes it earthy.
Nose is a dense blend of dark sugar maple, earthy caraway, and rye malty. You’re tasting the richness of pumpernickel bread slathered with maple butter a union that you never knew you wanted. The nose is full-bodied and beckoning, the harmony foreshadowing the blend to come. It reminds you of Vermont nights around the campfire swapping tales. Just the aroma has you wondering what’s next.
In the mouth, the maple rye displays a deep sweetness and maple warmth, but pepper and grass from the rye intervene. The contrast is a crisp, hassle-free taste that is never one-dimensional. It is 3.5 of 5, and it’s a rye enthusiast’s dream come true for anyone who loves a touch of sweetness. It is best used in creative cocktails or straight, delivering a Vermont spin that’s rich yet well-balanced. This spirit is proof maple and rye are made in heaven.
The Art of Sipping: Finding Fine Whiskeys
Whiskey is enjoyed, to take the time to enjoy the heritage in every glass. It’s not drinking; it’s being a part of the heritage and artistry of the spirit. Sapling brand whiskeys are meant to be savored, the taste unfolding with every sip. They’re not mixers complex, layered, and meant to be consumed neat or with a little water added. Vermonters say they taste like home, but better.
- Slow Savoring: Drinking whiskey compels you to slow down and think.
- Subtle Flavors: With each sip are notes of refinement.
- Vermont Roots: Sapling’s homegrown heritage makes it all the more special.
There is magic to drinking whiskey that lies in the way it is able to tell a tale through taste. Bourbon’s sweet fiery or smoky richness of Scotch, each style has a journey of its own. Age does matter whiskeys aged 8-12 years of age are full-bodied and great for sipping. The Sapling Double Barrel Maple Bourbon, with the added time in oak, is an excellent example of such work. It’s all about finding a whiskey that does it for your taste buds and makes every glass memorable.
From Vermont maple-flavored spirits to world favorites, the world of sipping whiskey is wide and welcoming. Bourbon introduces sweet caramel and vanilla, rye rumbles in peppery spice. Scotch ranges from smoky Islay drams to sweet Highland blends, Japanese whiskey daintily tiptoes the smoke-fruit tightrope. Irish creaminess, Canadian whisky usability contribute another. Tasting them all is a world tour, dram by dram, with Vermont’s Sapling line a self-indulgent starting point.
Affordable Sipping Whiskeys: Gems for Every Palate
You don’t need to break your neck to try a good sipping whiskey gems start at $40. The Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon, 7-8 years old, has toffee, orchard fruit, and honey for a sweet, lingering drink. Aberlour A’bunadh Scotch, sherry cask depth of flavor, bursts with candied nuts and dried cherries. These value bargains promise quality need not cost an arm and a leg. Perfect for a cold winter’s night or with good friends.
- Evan Williams: Affordable bourbon with full, sweet smells.
- Aberlour A’bunadh: Dark, dense Sherry cask Scotch.
- GTE Quality on a Shoestring: Quality sippers don’t have to bulge their wallet.
For rye enthusiasts, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is orange peel, ginger, and peppery spice in 104 proof. Green Spot Irish Whiskey is balanced with cold spices and caramel apples for an unobtrusive, soothing finish.Hakushu 12-Year-Old Japanese Whisky delivers green apple, mint, and subtle smoke for an elegant experience. The whiskeys prove the diversity of sipping drams, every one with a story to tell. They’re proof that you don’t necessarily need to spend an arm and a leg to have fabulous drams.
Some other favorites include Bulleit Bourbon’s spicy toffee, Knob Creek’s caramel fruit, and Highland Park 12’s honey-heather symphony. Westward American Single Malt introduces caramel and toasted nuts, and Laphroaig Quarter Oak introduces coconut and peat paradise. Vermont twist’s flavor introduces neighborhood character on sipping world as well in Sapling series. Whatever you are, Vermonter or bourbon connoisseur, these budget-friendly gems encourage you to explore and indulge in the realm of sipping.
