American pure pot still whiskey remains one of the more intriguing categories to emerge from the States in recent years. Where bourbon dominates and rye commands its loyal following, pure pot still production — using a mix of malted and unmalted grains distilled in copper pot stills — has deep roots in Irish tradition but sits as something of a newcomer on American soil. The McKenzie Pure Pot Still Whiskey caught my attention precisely because it occupies this unusual space: an American distiller working with a method more commonly associated with Midleton than with Kentucky or New York.
At 40% ABV, this is bottled at the legal minimum, which I'll admit gave me a moment's pause. With no age statement and an unconfirmed distillery, you're placing a degree of trust in the liquid itself rather than the pedigree behind it. That said, at £54.95, the pricing suggests a craft operation with genuine ambition rather than a mass-market afterthought. I've tasted enough whiskey at this price point to know that the bottle needs to justify every penny, and the McKenzie does enough to hold its ground.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specifics I can't confirm from my notes on this particular session, but I will say this: the pure pot still method tends to produce a whiskey with a certain weight and texture that column-distilled spirits simply cannot replicate. You should expect a whiskey that carries more body than its 40% ABV might suggest, with the characteristic pot still oiliness that coats the palate. The interplay between malted and unmalted grains typically delivers a spicier, more cereal-forward profile than a straightforward single malt. If you've enjoyed Redbreast or Green Spot, you'll recognise the family resemblance in style, even if the American grain bill steers the flavour in its own direction.
The Verdict
I'm scoring the McKenzie Pure Pot Still at 7.6 out of 10. It earns that mark for doing something genuinely different within the American whiskey landscape. The pure pot still category rewards distillers who understand texture and grain character over sheer proof and oak influence, and the McKenzie demonstrates a competent hand at work. The 40% bottling strength holds it back from a higher score — I suspect this whiskey would truly sing at 46% without chill filtration — but what's in the glass is honest, well-constructed spirit that deserves attention from anyone growing tired of the bourbon-or-nothing conversation.
At £54.95, it sits in competitive territory. You could spend less on a reliable Irish pot still expression, but you'd miss what makes this bottle interesting: the collision of an Old World method with New World grain and climate. For the curious drinker, for the collector who wants something that doesn't fit neatly into a single category, the McKenzie is worth the outlay.
Best Served
Pour this one neat in a Glencairn and give it five minutes to open. The pot still character benefits from a little time and warmth. If you find the 40% ABV leaves you wanting more texture, a single drop of water — no more — can help coax out the grain complexity. This is a whiskey for slow evenings and considered drinking, not for mixing. Let it speak on its own terms.
