Single Malt finished in brandy barrels

Modisett and Sons Distillery

From left to right Tom Roy Modisett, Ben Modisett, Jake Clements and Mitch Royer

Forged through friendships and crafted with time. A single malt with a history as layered as its flavors. The culmination of people saying yes instead of no.

At Modisett & Sons Distillery, they make whiskey the way they like it: 100% malted barley, aged in used barrels. No, it’s not Scotch—it’s their kind of single malt. Young, full of promise, with a growing fan base. And in 2021, when the opportunity to collaborate arose, they decided to say yes. The Tom Roy Tejas Collaboration with the Texas Whiskey Festival was born.

We chose, with a spark of excitement (and a touch of boldness), to finish the pale golden single malt in brandy barrels. But not just any brandy barrels. Deep in the heart of the Hill Country, where the air hangs heavy with the scent of wildflowers, sits Andalusia Whiskey Co., pioneers in their own right. They had just released their first brandy—a daring experiment crafted from orange muscat wine.

As the whiskey from Modisett & Sons poured into the small, 25-gallon brandy barrels, we couldn’t help but wonder: Will it be good? It’s the eternal question of whiskey. A question that carries a sense of risk and anticipation.

The sun rose and fell over six long months. Days turned into nights, routines carried on, but in the quiet dark of the warehouse, the pale golden whiskey began its transformation. It uncovered itself layer by layer—first the bright, citrusy burst of orange, then the warm sweetness of vanilla.

Finally, the day arrived. The bung was popped, and an explosion of aromas—orange, vanilla, and caramel—filled the room. The thief dipped into the barrel and poured its treasure into our glasses. For a moment, the question hung in the air, daring us to take that first sip.

The first taste hit with intensity. Orange bursts forth, swirling with hints of floral and malt, the barrel strength catching us off guard. But then, with the careful addition of water, the whiskey opened up. The orange blossomed, the floral balanced with the malt, and the aromas filled the senses—like orange creamsicle pie cooling on a windowsill.

Tom Roy: a collaboration in the adventure of what’s possible.

Now available at Total Wine & More on Lakeline in Cedar Park, TX.