Few liquors can compare to whiskey in terms of flavor, popularity, and overall appeal. While all liquors have enthusiasts, the passion and culture behind whiskey in the Western world are truly something to behold. Naturally, this enthusiasm comes with heavy expectations and discerning palettes when new brands hit the market.
Laws Whiskey has quickly become a stand-out in the world of brown liquor by consistently offering a wide variety of quality mid-shelf whiskeys with great taste and reasonable prices.
For those who are on the fence about dropping 60 – 100 dollars on a mystery bottle, the following paragraphs will give you a better idea of what you are purchasing. Whether you are a wizened whiskey drinker with years under your belt or you’ve never touched a drop, we will cover every aspect of what Laws whiskey is and how it can best be enjoyed.
Laws Whiskey: An Introduction
Whiskey is made from differing fermented grains (corn, barley, rye, wheat) and is typically aged in large wooden barrels. It does not improve in flavor after prolonged periods in a barrel and is usually aged anywhere from two to twenty-five years. When it comes to Laws Whiskey, they place most of their success in the ingredients.
Laws Whiskey has relied on quality grains to set itself apart from its competitors. As a company, they use two family farms (the Codys and Ohnmachts) to get the best possible grains for their whiskey. While the company started with a rudimentary selection, its bourbons and rye whiskeys have grown to accommodate every unique taste you can crave from whiskey.
It doesn’t take much to make whiskey look classy, and Laws stuck the landing effortlessly. The brilliant amber hue of Laws Whiskey is complimented by beautifully crafted bottles that would be a welcome sight in any liquor cabinet. While the bottles won’t have gilded labels or elaborate glasswork, Laws Whiskey is considered a classy drink at a comfortable price.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Laws Whiskey?
Whiskey has a minimum alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40%, with some batches producing far more potent bottles. Outside of limited releases, Laws tends to keep the ABV of its products similar, with most sitting between 47% and 50%. For some bottles, such as the Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the alcohol will vary from cask to cask.
What Is the History of Laws Whiskey?
Created in 2011, Laws Whiskey came from the burnt-out mind of Al Laws, who had grown tired of his career in finance. When Al relocated to Colorado for work, he realized that his true calling could be achieved on a small scale. This was when he met Bill Friel, a prodigious bourbon creator who helped smooth out initial hiccups with the company.
The first batch dropped on Independence Day of 2011, and Al and company have been off to the races since. In the thirteen years of Laws Whiskey, they have won several awards for their products. These include the “Best Small Batch Bourbon” and “Best American Rye 12 Years and Under” at the World Whiskey Awards.
Where Is Laws Whiskey From?
Laws Whiskey is a product born and raised entirely in Colorado. According to Al Laws, the reason for this is that the grains they acquire from the two family-owned farms need to be grown under the slightly harsher conditions of the Colorado wilderness. While this may seem like ambitious marketing, the awards and taste of Laws Whiskey products back up the lofty claim.
When Was Laws Whiskey Created?
Laws Whiskey was created in 2011 when owner Al Laws became tired of his former career and found an unquenched passion for creating quality whiskey. After hours of conversations with liquor legend Bill Friel and a few dozen books on distilling Laws Whiskey was underway. The first batch was released on Independence Day.
What Types of Laws Whiskey Are There?
Laws has a core roster of six whiskeys, split between bourbon and rye. In addition to their primary selection, they regularly have limited releases that can be purchased during the season. The following is a list of their core products that are available year-round.
San Luis Valley Straight Rye
- Aged 4+ years
- $68.99
- 47.5% ABV
A product of the Cody family farm in the San Luis Valley, San Luis Valley Straight Rye has won five awards and is an excellent choice for quality whiskey at mid-shelf prices. The taste of the straight rye is decadent and complex, with notes of mint, toffee, anise, orange zest, and the occasional kick of pepper.
San Luis Valley Straight Rye – Cask
- Aged 3+ years
- $94.99
- Has won two awards
San Luis Valley Straight Rye—Cask strength is a welcome blend of citrus and spice with a minty breath. Each bottle promises an exciting mystery of aromas and tastes, with each batch fluctuating in flavor from one cask to another.
San Luis Valley Straight Rye – Bottled in Bond
- Aged 7+ years
- $89.99
- 50% ABV
With nine awards over its lifetime, the Bonded Rye has become an incredibly decorated drink for good reason. The delicious blend of honey and cola creates an unforgettable flavor, only complimented by the brilliant aroma of hazelnut, mint, and the varying spices hidden underneath. It is also the first Whiskey Bottled in Bond in Colorado history.
Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Aged 3+ years
- $68.99
- 47.5% ABV
Winner of six awards and one of the most popular bottles in Laws roster, the Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an affordable bottle of excellent bourbon. Whether taking in the fragrances of honey, pepper, and tea or basking in the rich flavor of orange zest, cinnamon, and tobacco, you can’t go wrong with this staple bourbon.
Four Grain Straight Bourbon – Cask
- Aged 3+ years
- $94.99
- Winner of Two World Whiskey Awards
Four Grain Straight Bourbon – Cask strength immediately hits your senses with a strong aroma of tea, honey, and spice. Once it passes the lips, Four Grain punches the palate with a powerful fusion of cloves and sun-dried fruit. Flavor and aroma vary a bit depending on which cask the bourbon is aged in.
What Ingredients Are in Laws Whiskey?
Whiskey combines differing grains with various flavors and aromas added during the aging process. Laws Whiskey has developed a consistently successful routine for creating quality rye whiskey and bourbon. This continued success results from quality ingredients grown on farms with a reputation for their grains.
The biggest difference in ingredients will be between the rye whiskeys and bourbon. While the Four Grain Bottled in Bond Bourbon has a mash bill that is predominantly corn (sixty percent, in fact), the Rye whiskey will use considerably less corn in its fermented grains. In some cases, like the San Luis Valley Straight Rye, rye will be used exclusively.
How Much Does Laws Whiskey Usually Cost?
Laws Whiskey will never be a bottom-shelf product, though it allows all walks of life to enjoy award-winning whiskey without devastating their checking account. Typically, a bottle of Laws Whiskey will be between $60 and $100, depending on the batch. Bear in mind that some seasonal releases may be below or above that price point.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Laws Whiskey?
You will not find a bourbon or rye whiskey in the Laws Whiskey roster that is incapable of being enjoyed neat or on the rocks, though that doesn’t mean mixed drinks are out of the question. While the price may suggest a mid-shelf flavor, all products are worthy of whiskey enthusiasts and can be enjoyed in a shot glass, Glencairn glass, or even a snifter.
If you are going with a rye whiskey, don’t be afraid to take your time with the liquor. Rye whiskey is known for its delightfully pungent and powerful taste. Unfortunately, this can be a jarring experience for those unfamiliar. To ease into a good rye, take in the nose of the drink and try swishing a small amount around your mouth to adjust to the strong flavor.
How to Choose a Good Laws Whiskey?
You will struggle to find a lousy whiskey in the Laws stable, though you may find flavors outside your comfort zone. If you prefer a smoother, softer taste, you will want to stick with the bourbons. For a harsher, more intense flavor, Laws Whiskey has some of the best rye options in the country.
The cheaper options like the Four Grain Straight Bourbon or San Luis Valley Straight Rye are great starter options. For those who prefer more complex options, the Bottled in Bond variants are aged the longest of any of their batches and comply with the strict guidelines of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, resulting in some genuinely unforgettable whiskeys.
Where Can You Find Laws Whiskey?
Laws Whiskey will not be locally available to most people outside of Colorado and will be hard to find in most bars outside a few key locations.
Thankfully, the whiskeys can all be found on Speakeasyco, ranging from individual bottles to package deals that allow customers to try several different Laws products.
Laws Whiskey FAQs
While many readers may be familiar with the terms and guidelines of creating whiskey, everyone is not expected to understand the phrases and functions of the complicated process. To ease the itching at your temples, we will review some common whiskey questions.
What Is the Difference Between Bourbon and Rye Whiskey?
What separates bourbon and rye whiskey from being in the same category is the type of grain used in the distilling process. While bourbon must contain 51% corn in its grain mash, rye whiskey uses 51% rye as the majority ingredient.
In terms of flavor, Bourbon is generally considered the smoother of the two whiskeys.
How Is a Whiskey “Bottled in Bond?”
For a whiskey to meet the bottled-in-bond qualification, it must comply with an exhaustive list of guidelines that separate the products from other types of whiskey.
The liquor must be aged at least four years, sit at 50% ABV, and be in a federally approved warehouse during the aging process. Additionally, the whiskey must be distilled exclusively in one season by one distillery.
Do Bourbons and Rye Whiskey Have Aging Guidelines?
Yes, and they are determining factors in whether or not both are considered bourbon or rye whiskey. Both must be aged for at least two years, and any whiskey under four years will have the age on the bottle.
While most companies will inform consumers of the aging process, any whiskey aged over four years does not have to disclose how long it sat in a cask.
Last Call on Law Whiskey
The wonderful world of whiskey is growing by the year, with more enthusiasts coming out of the woodwork to taste and create quality bourbons. Laws Whiskey feels like the result of genuine passion and endless perfectionism.
Despite this, the product is tricky to find locally and should be ordered online. These are not floor-shelf whiskeys and should be served neat or on the rocks. If you still haven't settled on which one to try first, we recommend starting off with their Straight Rye.
