I've been a big fan of Cathead Distillery for a while now. Their 7 year Tintype Series # 1 really blew me away, and I've enjoyed many wonderful single barrel selections that Kappy's in Massachusetts has brought to the state in years past. When this new release dropped in the fall of 2023, I rushed out to buy one despite the higher cost this time around. I chalked it up to the 9 year age statement.
Yet after a few tastes, this bottle has languished for an entire year on my to-do shelf. If that isn't telling enough, I'll honor my self-prescribed review obligation by finally getting around to a full write-up a full 365 days after I bought this bottle. You might be surprised by the rating below. The shelf will be glad to be rid of its tired companion. Why the long face with an expensive bottle, you might ask? Let's consult some of the internet's opinions before we get into things here.
/u/mudsock_Indiana on Reddit warns of the variation in the Tintype (TT) series, saying:
Just be cautious when finding a TT Series 1 on the shelf. Series 1 first came out in 2021 with less than 1,100 cases. The second release of Series 1 came out in 2022 with a different proof, and MUCH better than the first batch in 2021. You could find the second batches on store shelves until about the Spring or early Summer of 2023. Then, in Fall of 2023, Cathead released a third batch of Series 1 with a different proof, and it’s still not as good or near the same as that second batch. Of course, the TT Series 2 was also released in Fall of 2023 and although it’s a 9 year, it doesn’t even hold up near as well as that second batch of TT Series 1. I’m quite the whack job for the TT series, so I do consider myself a bit of an enthusiast for that TT product only.
I hadn't really known about the subtle label obfuscation with reality being three bottlings under the guise of Tintype 1 nomenclature. At the minimum, that's pretty deceitful and definitely not a practice I'd recommend modern whiskey bottlers attempt with a very well-educated whiskey drinking base championing the market.
I dug in a little further and was able to find the three proofs, which was actually not that simple of a task, since the proof is tucked away on the back label on these, which nearly nobody ever takes a picture of unfortunately. Except for Brad Drell and myself, apparently.
The first release of Tintype Series 1 was in 2021, bottled at 119.2 proof, according to the photo on Whiskey Jar Blog. I tried a sample of this bottling and remember enjoying it quite a bit, but not as much as the second bottling from 2022. Mark Pringle seems to have enjoyed it as well.
The second release, and this is the one you'll want to hunt for if my review sounds up your alley, was bottled in 2022 at 122.3 proof. This was Cathead's claim to fame. It should celebrated, revered, and cherished—not used as a marketing crutch for future releases.
Cathead currently lists a Tintype Series 1 on their website, which I have to assume is that third batch, released in 2023 at 119.5 proof. This is the one we saw show up at a higher cost than the 2022 bottling. I have not reviewed this bottle.
Now that we've done our research, let's taste some new whiskey, shall we? Will Tintype Series 2 live up to the legend of the 2022 bottling of old? In accordance with my editorial policy, this whiskey was torturously tasted three times before I offered my well-triangulated opinion. On to the notes!
Company on Label: Bottled by Cathead Distillery (distilled in Indiana)
Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
Proof: 122.2°
Age: 9 years
Further identification: Tintype Series # 2 features blues artist Hermon Hitson with a tintype done by Timothy Duffy, it is still readily available at an MSRP of $159.99 (below the cost Cathead has it listed for)
Nose: On first lifting the glass to my nose, I find a flat, muted profile that offers just hints of dry paper, corn husks, and musty cardboard boxes. Deep inhales produce little pleasure as dry vanilla and crushed-up alka-seltzer slowly drift into focus. Try as I might, there's just not much to find here. Time for a sip.
Returning from a sip makes the nose even less enjoyable as things have turned towards a synthetic perfume aroma. Late in the glass, I struggle to pull meaningful enjoyment from the glass as my attention shifts immediately to thousands of other pours I'd rather have than this. The saving grace at the bottom of the glass are some marshmallow characteristics that can't be argued with. The empty glass smells of root beer barrel candy.
Palate: A touch of creamed corn leads the way on first taste before dry toffee, and just a flash of molasses registers on the linger. Subsequent sips are medicinal in character, with cherry cough syrup coming across as tannic and sharp. Late in the glass, more flavors do develop, such as oversteeped tea, ginger molasses cookies, and dry breadcrumbs. Overall the pour comes across a bit stale, like a baker trying to make one last pastry out of all the scraps from the previous projects. My last sip offers a profile akin to skim milk and almond butter; it does not sip like any whiskey I would expect to pour again. The finish is medium in duration at the end of the glass, offering hints of graham cracker and bland paper characteristics that remind me of accidentally eating part of your candy packaging.
TL;DR: This is an upset stomach in a bottle; gas station sushi at Michelin pricing
Rating: 2/5
I'm not the least bit surprised that this has been sitting on shelves everywhere I look, alongside the newly overpriced re-release of Tintype Series #1. In a pretty egregious turn of events that likely transpired due to a glowing review of their second bottling of the 7 year Tintype bourbon, we saw Cathead re-release more Tintype series 1 at a different proof—pretty clearly a different blend, which is made clear with a release year on the back label as well. Myself, like many other enthusiasts took notice when this came back around. I rushed to pick up the new Series 2 because of the strong belief I had in the brand following that pinnacle whiskey I tasted before.
Did they think we weren't going to notice? Does Cathead assume the average person won't be able to tell the difference? Are the palates on their team not able to differentiate what is high quality whiskey versus swill? Do you think they just get lucky with series 1? I think these are all fair questions, ones that should clearly shake any confidence one has for this brand. I'm certainly going to be looking at Cathead with pretty severe skepticism from here on out.
This was so hot and no flavor… I thought it was just me considering the reviews the earlier bottle got. Great review.