Big Nose Kate® is an artfully balanced western whiskey created by our award-winning Master Blender, Melissa Heim

OUR INSPIRATION

The western frontier was (in)famously a wild crossroads of myriad cultures and influences; a melting pot where fascinating, robust new combinations formed constantly. Indeed, you might think of the Old West itself as an extraordinary and rare “blend.” And so was Kate the person.  Her stories combined with the place and time in which she lived them sparked our imagination and directly influenced our approach to making this whiskey. 

Well-traveled. Brave. Bold. A rare combination. It's Big Nose Kate®.

OUR BLEND

Big Nose Kate® is a first-of-its-kind blend of straight American Rye Whiskey and American Single Malt crafted by award-winning Master Blender, Melissa (Mel) Heim.

INTENTION

To capture the essence and complexity of our protagonist and the terroir of her travels through the medium of whiskey.

SPECIFICATIONS

ORIGIN

Our whiskey is carefully and proudly sourced from a number of the best producers in the United States.

AGE

4-6 years

PROOF/ABV%

90/45%

MASH BILL AT BOTTLING

53.2% Rye / 46.8% Barley Malt

DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT

Copper Pot, Northern Fabricators, Elgin Scotland
Copper Pot, Forsyth, Moray Scotland
Stainless/Copper Blend Continuous Column, origin unknown

COOPERAGE

53 gallon heavy char American Oak cask
59 gallon STR Cuvee Cask

FILTRATION

Non-chill filtered; particulate filtered

WATER

Mix of Spring and De-ionized

PROCESS: The Nose 'Knows'

All Big Nose Kate® western whiskey is batch blended and bottled in the mountain town of Santa Fe, New Mexico… an important station in Kate’s incredible life.  Here, barrels are selected through sensory analysis by a team of trusted 'noses' under the tutelage of Mel and our partner, Altar Spirits Founder & Head Distiller, Caley Shoemaker. 

RESULT

NOSE

Yes, it’s big: Dried fruit, biscuits, bitter chocolate, coffee, orange peel and a wisp of mint.

FLAVOR

Fully bodied with a rich mouthfeel.  Opens with dry sherry and cherry fruit, cereal grain and green apple with a finish of baking spices and cocoa.

“A one-of-a-kind spirit like Kate's deserves a one-of-kind spirit.”

- Melissa Heim, Master Blender