Ole Smoky Salty Caramel Whiskey 750ML

Ole Smoky Salty Caramel Whiskey 750ML is a 30% ABV (60 proof) flavored whiskey from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, blending natural salted caramel with a corn, rye, and malted barley base. This expression earned 93 points from Tastings.com and a Gold medal in the Flavored Whiskey category, establishing it as one of the more decorated entries in the salted caramel whiskey space.

Quick Facts: ABV: 30% (60 proof)  |  Origin: Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA  |  Flavored Whiskey  |  Distillery: Ole Smoky Distillery

Production & Heritage

Ole Smoky Distillery holds the distinction of being Tennessee's first federally licensed distillery, rooted in the moonshine traditions of the Great Smoky Mountains. The base whiskey is distilled in traditional copper pot stills from a mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley, then aged in charred oak barrels before the addition of natural salted caramel flavoring. That finishing step is calibrated to balance pronounced caramel sweetness against a deliberate salted edge, yielding a full-bodied, dessert-forward profile that separates it from lighter flavored whiskeys in the category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel syrup leads immediately, followed by layers of vanilla cream and a subtle suggestion of peach cobbler. A faint marzipan note rounds out the nose, lending an almond-like warmth beneath the sweetness.

Taste: The entry is thick and unmistakably caramel-forward, almost like liquid butterscotch. At mid-palate the sweetness deepens with vanilla and baked stone fruit, while the body maintains a syrupy, full weight. A moderately sweet peak gives way to a distinct salted note that tempers the sugar and brings the whiskey into focus.

Finish: Medium in length with a creamy, velvety texture that coats the palate. The salt lingers alongside residual caramel, leaving a balanced sweet-savory impression rather than a purely sugary fade.

How to Drink Salty Caramel Whiskey

Served chilled or over ice, the lower proof and rich texture make this a natural sipper that doesn't require dilution but benefits from a slight chill to tighten the sweetness. It also works as a versatile cocktail ingredient:

• Salted Caramel Espresso Martini — the caramel and salt complement coffee's bitterness, creating a balanced dessert cocktail.
• Caramel Apple Mule — paired with ginger beer and fresh apple cider, the whiskey's sweetness plays against spice and tartness.
• Salty Caramel Old Fashioned — substituted into a classic template, the built-in caramel and salt reduce the need for added sweetener, and a dash of bitters adds depth.

Best For

• Dessert-course sipping after a dinner party
• Introducing flavored whiskey to someone transitioning from sweet cocktails
• Building indulgent holiday or brunch cocktails
• Gifting a friend who gravitates toward caramel and butterscotch flavors

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Salty Caramel Whiskey taste like? It delivers a thick, creamy caramel sweetness up front with vanilla and baked fruit undertones, finishing with a noticeable salted edge that keeps the profile from becoming one-dimensional.

How does Salty Caramel Whiskey compare to Crown Royal Salted Caramel? Crown Royal Salted Caramel is bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) on a Canadian blended whisky base, making it slightly higher in proof and drier in profile. Ole Smoky's Tennessee base and lower 30% ABV produce a fuller, more syrupy body with a more pronounced salt finish.

Is Salty Caramel Whiskey good for cocktails? Its bold caramel flavor and lower ABV make it an effective cocktail modifier, particularly in espresso martinis, apple-based drinks, and dessert-style mixed drinks where its sweetness replaces simple syrup or liqueur.

Where is Salty Caramel Whiskey made? It is produced at Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains — Tennessee's first federally licensed distillery.

What foods pair well with Salty Caramel Whiskey? Salted brownies or chocolate lava cake mirror the sweet-salty dynamic. Vanilla bean ice cream served alongside creates an affogato-style pairing. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint. Apple pie or tarte tatin echoes the baked fruit notes on the palate. Candied pecans amplify the nutty marzipan undertone.

What sizes does Salty Caramel Whiskey come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, and Ole Smoky also offers select expressions in 50ml and 375ml formats, though availability varies by market.

Is Salty Caramel Whiskey worth the price? Positioned as an accessible, entry-level flavored whiskey, it delivers considerable complexity for its price tier — particularly given the 93-point Tastings.com score and Gold medal recognition, which are uncommon at this value level.

Why Salty Caramel Whiskey?

Within a crowded field of flavored whiskeys, this expression distinguishes itself through verified critical recognition: 93 points from Tastings.com and a Gold medal in the Flavored Whiskey category place it near the top of its class. The copper pot still distillation and charred oak aging give the base whiskey more character than many competitors that rely on neutral grain spirit, and the natural salted caramel flavoring avoids the artificial aftertaste that can plague lesser entries. For drinkers who want a dessert-forward spirit that still feels rooted in a legitimate whiskey tradition, Ole Smoky's Gatlinburg heritage and Tennessee-first credentials lend authenticity that pure novelty brands cannot match.