Second Glance Whiskey Review - American Whiskey - Savage and Cook Distillery by Dave Phinney

Distillery: Savage & Cook Distillery

Region: Mare Island – Vallejo California

Aging: 5 years

ABV: 44%

Price: $35

Appearance: Dark Amber

Mash Bill: 95% Corn, 4% Rye, 1% Malted Barley

Nose: Very sweet – think maple syrup steeped with dark berries and hints of vanilla and hazelnut.

Palate: The flavor is very smooth and extremely easy to drink. Flavors come through with a similar blend as the nose – dark fruits, raisins, and dried fig blended with caramel, maple syrup sweetness, oak, and a bit of spice on the finish.

Finish: The finish is a bit quick and the flavors don’t stick around for long. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After each sip, I quickly reach for another.

Second Glance is a whiskey that I could easily sip on glass after glass. It leaves me guessing and trying to determine exactly what makes it taste so good, but it always seems that the next sip will help me solve the puzzle.

Second Glance bottles

Is Second Glance American Whiskey Approachable?

Second Glance American Whiskey is most certainly approachable. It is extremely easy to drink and has very little burn as it goes down. This would be a perfect whiskey to give to someone who is not sure how they feel about whiskey. It’s packed with a lot of dark fruit and sweet flavors which most beginner whiskey drinkers enjoy, but also has enough depth that any bourbon drinker can appreciate.

Is Second Glance American Whiskey Complex?

Second Glance isn’t an extremely complex whiskey, but it does have elements that will always leave you guessing and reaching for more. Since the distillery was created by Napa Valley winemaker Dave Phinney, I think there is an additional layer to the whiskey that Dave added to create such a unique blend.

Each barrel is hand-selected by Dave and then aged for a minimum of five years in ex-Bourbon barrels which is pretty standard. But I think what adds a unique twist to Second Glance is that the bourbon is then uniquely finished in wine barrels from Dave’s Napa Valley Cabernet projects.

I’m a big fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, so I’m guessing the aging in cabernet barrels is what I enjoy so much about this bourbon.

Below is the official fact sheet from Savage and Cooke’s website:

Second Glance American Whiskey Review - Official Fact Sheet

What are Second Glance American Whiskey’s strongest attributes/flavors?

Second Glance whiskey offers a combination of flavors that go very well together, but the strongest attribute is that it is just a $35 bottle. When I say that it is easy to drink glass after glass, I mean it. It is most certainly a regular sipper.

Is Second Glance American Whiskey a go-to whiskey?

Not only is Second Glance whiskey a go-to whiskey, but it has become my top go-to whiskey for the past month or two. I would definitely recommend picking up this bottle if you’re looking for a decently priced bottle of bourbon that you won’t tire of any time soon.

Is Second Glance American Whiskey priced accurately to its quality?

Second Glance is a steal for the price point. I would not have been surprised if the price were in the $45-50 range for the flavors and quality that you get with this one.

I would definitely recommend picking up a bottle of Second Glance the next time you visit your local liquor store.

I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.

If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let us know on social media via RedditFacebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Thanks for reading and cheers!


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