Platte Valley Corn Whiskey is fairly unique among corn whiskeys because it’s been aged for 3 years in used cooperage. Most corn whiskey you see on the market today, sometimes marketed as moonshine, is aged for 6 months or less. Unlike bourbon which has to spend some amount of time in new charred oak, be it 20 seconds or 20 years, corn whiskey doesn’t have to be aged at all and new make can be sold as corn whiskey. Though there are other requirements that need to be met for it to be called a corn whiskey.
Per the TTB, to qualify as a corn whiskey, it must be “…produced at not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof) from a fermented mash of not less than 80 percent corn and if stored in oak containers stored at not more than 62.5% alcohol by volume (125 proof) in used or uncharred new oak containers and not subjected in any manner to treatment with charred wood.” The reason, the 80%+ corn mash whiskey can only be stored in uncharred or used barrels if because if it’s stored in new charred oak it would be a bourbon. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, on to the Platte Valley Corn Whiskey review!
Platte Valley Corn Whiskey Info
Region: Missouri, USA
Bottler: McCormick Distilling
Cask: Used bourbon barrels
Age: 3 years
ABV: 40%
Price: $20
Platte Valley Corn Whiskey Review
EYE
Pear juice
NOSE
Corn, vanilla, strawberry gummies, a touch of spice and a hint of caramel. Not a whole lot going on, but it’s inoffensive and nice with no off notes or spirity notes causing a ruckus.
PALATE
Corn, vanilla, fruit and a very light spice. The fruit comes across like a hybrid of tropical and orchard fruit that’s a bit heavier on the tropical notes. A banapplenut if you will.
FINISH
Gone in a flash leaving only a fleeting impression of corn, vanilla and dried fruit.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not much to balance, but what’s there is nicely lined up. Thin body and watery texture complete the simple-as-can-be picture.
OVERALL
Platte Valley Corn Whiskey is decent, but I like Balcones Baby Blue and Mellow Corn more with Mellow Corn leading this strange little pack in terms of value. It’s about as simple of a whiskey as it gets, but that doesn’t actually mean it’s bad, in fact I enjoy sipping it quite a bit, I just have to be in the right mood because of how light is. I’ve also found it’s not that great for cocktails or to eat with heavy meals, but is an alright compliment to lighter meals or just for sipping in the afternoon. It’s a clean, straight forward whiskey that’s worth a try if you get the chance. Just don’t expect it to blow your socks off.
SCORE: 78/100
Platte Valley Corn Whiskey Review - Score
Value
Platte Valley Corn Whiskey is a decent value if you’re looking for a corn whiskey.
Overall
- Nose - 78
- Palate - 78
- Finish - 78
- Balance, Body & Feel - 78
I also have a jug from Platte Valley. Mine has a label on it that says Bottled in Bond and is 100 proof. Just thought it was interesting.
Neat, thanks for sharing Sandy. Cheers!
I also have a jug, with tax seal and Massachusetts label. The Mccormick embossing is on the backside of the top, instead of what i have seen is usually in the front top….Numbers on bottom are 168-68. Any thoughts about this jug? worth?
Probably from the late 60s and worth whatever a home decorator or crafter would pay. If it has liquid in it, then maybe $50-$6o, but it’s not a sought-after brand or a rare release so it’s not something that ever shows up at auctions so it’s really hard to say on value.
I have a jug from platte valley id like to sell, is it worth anything, bottom of jug has 168-1971
liquor bottle
11-D16
its empty so is it worth keeping or not
thanks
Empties like that are very common and will sell for whatever a crafter or home decorator is willing to pay. I see them for $30-$40 regularly.
Was quite disappointed in this, my first taste of Platte Valley. I was hoping for a CLEAR CORN WHISKEY but got a very mild BOURBON taste, and I’ve grown to hate bourbon. Of any age. CLEAR CORN WHISKEY, like, maybe, LEGHORN STRAIGHT CORN WHISKEY, no longer available, or next closest, STILLHOUSE CLEAR CORN WHISKEY, but never again with {Platte Valley. Now I gotta find someone to give it to, I won’t be happy drinking the rest.
Dang. Maybe Daddy shouldn’t’ve let me taste that Oklahoma Moonshine he ran in the twenties and early thirties in and around OKIE CITY and NORMAN. Liked it too much and now it’s hard to find and afford. Platte Valley don’t even come close!!
i forgot to say – there are no numbers on the bottom of this jug. none.
age is 5 years old whisky when bottled
i HAVE A WHISKY JUG THAT HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY FOR MANY MANY YEARS AND i AM TRYING TO DOCUMENT IT FOR MY FAMILY SO I MAY PASS THIS DOWN TO MY GREAT GRAND CHILDREN WHO ARE GROWING UP QUICKLY.
THE JUS SAYS AGEED IN THE HILLS, PLATTE VALLEY, SINCE 1855, 5 YEARS OLD, 80.6 PROOF, 1.75 LIITERSD, 5 YEARS OLD, STRAIGHT CORN WHISKEY, DISTILLED AND BOTTLED BY McCORMICK DISTILLING CO., T.M. REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS OR CAN YOU HELP. THANKS LYNN
For something like this I’d recommend reaching out to the company.
The jug you describe sounds just like mine, but mine is sealed and full. What is it worth?
Wow, I don’t know where you shop, but I just paid $34 bucks for a 1.75L crock in Colorado.
It’s too soon to say if I like it, I’ve only sampled so far. I just liked the crock for my bar.
Stay tuned for my review.
I like in Los Angeles. Everything is expensive here :) Cheers Pete!
I have been looking for platte vally aroumd here for 10 years, cant fined it in any of the stores. W hen my younger bouther was . alive he and I used to drink it. I miss him so much. He was a great man and my hunting pal. I do wish I could get. I would like to have a pull with Dave one more time. Dam I miss him. Pete
I’m sorry to hear that man, that really sucks. I don’t have anything but impotent words for the second part, but for the whiskey I’d recommend looking online if you’re in a shipping state. Cheers.
The McCormick Distilling website now(February 2016) shows Platte Valley jugs emblazoned with the word “Moonshine” in letters larger than those proclaiming it “100% Straight Corn Whiskey” in the line below. I hope it’s still barrel-aged for 36 months. The website doesn’t show the back of the jug.
Interesting, I had no idea on the change. I bought this one a few years ago but hadn’t opened it till now. Thanks for the info.
How about reviewing a fancier un-aged corn whiskey, like Hudson New York Corn Whiskey? It is priced highly enough that I wonder if it really is worthwhile. Also, could you do reviews for Knob Creek Rye and 1792 Small Batch Bourbon? I just bought those and want to know your take.
I’ve been asking Hudson for samples for a while, but they’re not interested. Might have to breakdown and buy some of them at some point. I have both of the others in queue so they’re coming, but it’ll be a few weeks.