Corsair Rasputin Hopped Whiskey 750ML

Corsair Rasputin Hopped Whiskey 750ML is a 43% ABV American malt whiskey distilled from an Imperial stout base and vapor-infused with hops during distillation. It earned a Platinum Medal at the 2010 Beverage Tasting Institute World Spirits Competition, beating 72 other whiskeys in the field — a strong early signal that Corsair's unconventional approach had serious merit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43% (86 proof)  |  Origin: Nashville, Tennessee, USA  |  Style: Hopped American Malt Whiskey  |  Distillery: Corsair Artisan Distillery

Production & Heritage

Corsair Artisan Distillery, based in Nashville, Tennessee, built its reputation on experimental small-batch spirits that blur the lines between brewing and distilling. Rasputin begins life as a traditional Imperial stout brewed with malted barley — a dark, robust beer style known for intense chocolate and roasted grain character. After fermentation, the wash is distilled, and the resulting spirit vapors are passed directly through a bed of hops. This vapor-hopping technique layers spicy, floral hop aromatics onto the whiskey without the harsh bitterness that liquid hop contact might introduce. Corsair was named both Craft Distillery of the Year and Innovator of the Year by Whisky Magazine in 2013, recognition driven largely by releases like Rasputin that redefined what American whiskey could be.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich malt leads, followed by dark caramel and a pale-ale-like hop character. Subtle mint and floral notes emerge as the glass opens up.

Taste: The entry is thick with roasted grain and toasted wheat bread, quickly joined by cinnamon, clove, and bittersweet chocolate at mid-palate. Hop bitterness builds steadily, weaving through layers of citrus peel, nutmeg, and a curious whipped-cream sweetness with a faint banana undertone.

Finish: Long and spicy, with lingering citrus, waxy texture, and toasty cereal notes. The hop bitterness recedes slowly, leaving a dry, warming close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Rasputin Hopped Whiskey

Neat at room temperature is the clearest way to appreciate the interplay between stout-derived malt richness and hop aromatics. A few drops of water open the chocolate and spice layers further without dulling the hop character. For cocktails, try a Whiskey Sour — the citrus amplifies the hop bitterness into a refreshing counterpoint. A Brown Derby (grapefruit juice and honey) plays beautifully off the citrus-peel notes already present in the spirit. An Old Fashioned with orange bitters highlights the chocolate and spice backbone while keeping the hops in a supporting role.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who is exploring whiskey
• Blind tastings or whiskey club sessions focused on experimental American spirits
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or espresso desserts
• Building a collection of boundary-pushing American craft whiskeys

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rasputin Hopped Whiskey taste like? It delivers roasted grain, bittersweet chocolate, and warm baking spices up front, followed by a distinct hop bitterness that adds citrus peel, mint, and a dry, spicy finish unusual in whiskey.

How does Rasputin Hopped Whiskey compare to a conventional American single malt? A standard American single malt typically emphasizes clean barley sweetness and oak influence, while Rasputin layers Imperial stout depth — dark chocolate, roasted grain — with hop-derived bitterness and floral spice that have no equivalent in traditional malt whiskey production.

Is Rasputin Hopped Whiskey good for sipping neat? Yes, neat service is arguably its ideal format, allowing the complex interplay of stout maltiness and hop aromatics to come through without dilution or competing flavors.

Where is Rasputin Hopped Whiskey made? It is produced at Corsair Artisan Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee, a craft operation recognized by Whisky Magazine as 2013 Craft Distillery of the Year and 2013 Innovator of the Year.

What foods pair well with Rasputin Hopped Whiskey? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and roasted malt notes. Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs match the spirit's toasty depth. Strong aged cheddar mirrors the bitterness with sharp tang. Espresso-rubbed steak echoes the roasted grain character. Candied pecans bridge the spice and subtle sweetness.

What sizes does Rasputin Hopped Whiskey come in? The standard release is a 750ML bottle at 43% ABV (86 proof).

Is Rasputin Hopped Whiskey worth the price? It positions in the craft-premium tier, and its Platinum Medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute along with a genuinely unique production process — vapor-hopping spirit distilled from Imperial stout — provide strong value for drinkers seeking something outside conventional whiskey categories.

Why Rasputin Hopped Whiskey?

Corsair's vapor-hopping technique during distillation is not merely a gimmick — it produces a whiskey that legitimately tastes unlike anything else in the American whiskey landscape. The Imperial stout base delivers a malt depth and chocolate richness that grain-forward bourbon or rye simply cannot replicate, while the hop pass adds a bitter, floral dimension borrowed from craft brewing. The Platinum Medal at the 2010 BTI World Spirits Competition confirmed early on that the result transcends novelty. For anyone who has felt hemmed in by the standard bourbon-rye-single malt framework, Rasputin represents a credible and rewarding departure.