Escape the ordinary with Summer Retreat Rye
Summer Retreat. Our blend of 2 straight rye whiskeys, one that brings the spice and the other one brings a touch of corn sweetness.
Aged 7 years, finished in white port casks, cask strength and always bottled when ready.
This 2024 limited release transports us to hot summer days on the lake drinking refreshing, crisp, thirst quenching beverages with friends and family.
Ironically, Summer Retreat was created in the dead of winter when light was faded in the PNW, cold seeping into the bones of the barrels. The contraction-expansion of the whiskey into the barrel from winter weather allowed the white port to thoroughly bond with the golden brown liquid and infuse it with a burst of vivacious citrus flavor.
Bright and tart, white port profiles reminded the team at Doc’s Whiskey of fresh citrus fruit in summer and helped us stave off the winter chill.
The good news is that Summer Retreat is a tasty treat any time of year.
Summer retreat rye whiskey finished in white port casks. Bottled at cask strength.
Did you know, White port is not often used in American whiskey blending?
Here’s why it matters.
White port barrels are more rare. They are harder to come by in our industry. In America these barrels are not commonly imported, therefore less blending houses are experimenting and creating whiskey with White Port.
For us at Doc Swinson’s, when we get to play with and introduce something new to the American Whiskey market we get really excited.
We love showcasing new flavor elements that you probably haven't experienced.
It’s the Doc Swinson way that makes people tell their friends, “you have to taste this!”.
Bringing unique profiles into our whiskey, flavors more commonly found in the old country (like white port) and pairing them with american whiskeys is one of Doc Swinson’s goals.
The difference between white & red ports.
White Port flavors are bright and citrusy, focusing more towards the grape elements, whereas Ruby Ports are juicy like a strawberry.
At Doc’s Whiskey we play with the way two bold flavors can be married - citrus from the Port and spice from the Rye.
For Doc Swinson’s master blender, Jesse Parker white port was a bucket list item.
“White port finish makes a summery kind of profile for the whiskey, which is why I released this in spring and I named it Summer Retreat.
The first time I had really ever tried white port it reminded me of drinking a nice spritz in the heat.
The White port in Summer retreat makes the whiskey vivacious, bright, and brings to life the spiciness of the rye whiskey. ”
-Jesse Parker, Master Blender
Let’s break down Summer Retreat’s flavor profiles…
Summer retreat was finished in French oak barrels first used in bordeaux wine production. These same barrels were then used to age white ports before they landed in our warehouse.
I’ve talked a lot about citrus, bright and tart flavors but there’s much more depth to summer retreat.
Because of the French Oak barrels you will also taste tobacco, leather and chocolate characteristics in Summer Retreat rye whiskey. Think of chocolate-covered oranges.
Flavor profiles from Summer Retreat whiskey:
French oak flavors: chocolate, clove, vanilla bean, black tea.
White port flavors: Fresh, tart, bright, juicy flavors found in a vino verde.
Rye Whiskey flavors: spicy, bold, slightly sweet
“spiciness of the ryes with the sweet roundness of corn infused with tart golden raisins. ”
“When I first opened the barrels to taste this blend, the aromas honestly put a smile on my face.
When something like that happens, you know you’ve got something good”
-Jesse Parker
Barrel age and flavor. How does it impact the whiskey?
Wines in general don’t impart their flavor as deeply into a barrel as spirits do. Therefore the longer the wine has been in a barrel, the more flavor that will come out of it.
The French Oak used to make Summer Retreat aged port for 5-7 years, allowing plenty of time to get the juiciest flavors from the wine in the pores of the barrel.
“Because the white port is less sweet than, for example, a tawny port, the oak flavors shine through in the finishing process”
Because the white port is less sweet than, for example, a tawny port, and the barrels much younger in age, the oak flavors shine through in the finishing process, giving an added double barrel finish to the whiskey
Sensation over flavor.
“How flavors go together is extremely important, but I almost care more about how they layer together.
What sensations or journey do you get while tasting it.”
When blending a product like Summer Retreat, the main thing Doc’s Master blender looks for is sensation.
Some questions we ask ourselves to find that sensation-
How do flavors present themselves on a palate?
Do they unravel on your palate?
How do the flavors create balance in the whiskey?
What mouthfeel and textures do you get?
Is there a story, a beginning, middle and an end?
These are all questions that must be considered when blending whiskey. It’s the intentionality behind every drop of Doc Swinson’s.
When you taste Summer Retreat you’ll taste a wave of sensation rolling off your palate, a smooth symphony.
You’re not just drinking whiskey.You’re going on a journey.
Bottled at Cask strength
Because it’s better at cask strength. Simple.
When putting Summer retreat through “proof trials”, testing at different proofs, Summer Retreat really stood out the most at cask strength for our team.
It's very full tasting whiskey.
Naming of Summer Retreat
“I wanted to name this summer retreat because it takes you out of where you are and gives you a little bit of retreat.”
For our Master Blender, notes of bright citrus in Summer Retreat reminded him of playing in the sun.
Of having a refreshing spritz on a hot summer day.
In the PNW winter we don’t get many sunny days.
The nostalgia and romance of a summer felt fitting for this blend for a few reasons.
The barrels were all aged against a big roll up door, so when the sun would poke through, they would be bathed in the light.
The first time we opened the Summer Retreat casks they filled the room with a beautiful citrus aroma
the Artwork
For Jesse, the artwork just came to him one day. When thinking of a summer retreat, camping and road trips came to mind. The retreat of running away to another place, taking time to explore.
Because this blend is so fun, the artwork needed to match.
Escaping the rat race in a van with big sun rays and a bottle of whiskey.
Hopefully when you drink Summer Retreat you can transport to this place anytime.
As winter approaches in the PNW, we will take solace in the memory of summer, bottled up at cask strength, through Summer Retreat.
where can i find a bottle of Summer Retreat?
There are a couple online stores that carry summer retreat.
Companies, if you want us in your store or bar here’s our distribution list so you can see who represents Docs in your area. Contact them and get some Docs!
