1970s Cabin Still is interesting whiskey because it could, or could not be, Stitzel-Weller. If it’s post 1972 then it’s after Stitzel-Weller was sold to Norton-Simon who, as the story goes, started dumping whiskey from their Canada Dry Bourbon into the Cabin Still brand soon after the acquisition. The Canada Dry Bourbon was purportedly terrible and to help make it less-so they mixed it with some not-terrible Stitzel-Weller juice to help even things out. This particular bottle is from the mid 70s so it’s hard to say exactly what was going on at the time.
An interesting note here is that the whiskey coming from the Curley Distillery (Canada Dry) used rye as its secondary grain whereas Stitzel-Weller is famous for their wheated mashbill so any Cabin Still where the two were mixed is a combination of 2 different kinds bourbon. Want to know something else interesting about this whiskey? It’s part of a group review I’ve put together and you should check out what the other folks have to say about this and a 1970s Old Crow on their respective blogs listed below.
Sku’s Recent Eats
The Coopered Tot http://www.cooperedtot.com/
Axis of Whisky http://axisofwhisky.com/
It’s Just The Booze Dancing
Bourbon and Banter https://www.bourbonbanter.com/ (coming soon, but check out their blog anyways)
1970s Cabin Still Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Stitzel-Weller (supposedly, but maybe not)
Cask: New charred oak
Age: 4 Years
ABV: 40%
Price: NA – Dusty
1970s Cabin Still Review
EYE
Cinnamon
NOSE
Dark fruit, wood, spice, grainy corn, vanilla, toffee and an overall sweet character. The aroma is a bit watery and muted, but it’s not terrible by any means. Not something I want on a daily basis, but not too shabby either.
PALATE
Corn, caramel, vanilla, oak, spice and a touch of dark fruit with a light bit of herbal spice and a butterscotch undertone that really picks up and pops towards the back of the palate.
FINISH
Medium fade of watery butterscotch, vanilla and a woody sweetness.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a warm smooth feel.
OVERALL
1970s Cabin Still is alright. I’m not wild about it, but I’m not hating on it either, in fact I’ve almost killed the pint pictured above and below. Cabin Still has always been a bottom shelf brand so I wasn’t expecting anything amazing, but it surpassed my expectations. Whether or not it’s actually Stitzel-Weller juice at this point in its history is up for debate, but, to me, it being a terrible bourbon at this stage in its history isn’t. Decent stuff.
SCORE: 83/100
