Clyde May's Alabama Style Whiskey is one of those bottles that sparks a conversation before you even crack the seal. The name alone raises questions — what exactly is "Alabama Style" whiskey? It's a fair question, and the answer ties back to a regional moonshining tradition where dried apple was added during the aging process, giving the spirit a distinctive character that sets it apart from your standard bourbon shelf. Clyde May's carries that legacy forward, and at 42.5% ABV, it's bottled at a proof that keeps things approachable without sacrificing personality.
Style & Category
Let's talk about what we're working with here. This is an American whiskey that leans heavily on bourbon conventions — corn-forward mashbill, barrel aging, all the hallmarks — but that apple-influenced finishing process is the twist that earns it the "Alabama Style" designation. It's NAS, so we don't have an age statement to anchor expectations, but the liquid itself suggests enough time in wood to develop real depth without becoming overly tannic. At £61.75, you're paying a modest premium over entry-level bourbons, and I think the uniqueness of the profile justifies it.
What I appreciate about Clyde May's is that it doesn't try to be something it isn't. This isn't chasing the allocated bourbon hype train. It's a whiskey with a genuine regional identity, and that counts for something in a market flooded with identikit small-batch releases. The apple influence is subtle — think dried orchard fruit woven into the grain character rather than anything approaching flavoured whiskey territory. It's integrated, not gimmicky.
The Verdict
I'm giving Clyde May's Alabama Style Whiskey an 8.1 out of 10, and here's why: it delivers something genuinely different. In a bourbon landscape where so many bottles blur together, this one has a clear identity and the quality to back it up. The 42.5% ABV is well-chosen — it's smooth enough for newcomers but carries enough weight that experienced drinkers won't feel short-changed. The price point is reasonable for what you're getting, especially considering there's nothing else quite like it on most shelves.
If I have one small gripe, it's that I'd love to see what this liquid could do at a higher proof — say 50% ABV — where those apple-tinged barrel notes might really open up. But as it stands, this is a confident, well-made whiskey that knows exactly what it wants to be. That clarity of purpose is worth rewarding.
Best Served
This is a natural Old Fashioned whiskey. The subtle dried fruit character plays beautifully with a good demerara sugar syrup and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters. The apple-influenced notes add a layer of complexity that you simply don't get from a standard bourbon Old Fashioned, and at this proof, it won't fight with the other ingredients. Build it over a large ice cube, express an orange peel over the top, and you've got something genuinely special for a Tuesday evening. Neat works perfectly well too — let it sit in the glass for five minutes and it really opens up.
