Rating 4/10 – BottleBrief Rating System
Introduction
Darker Side from Last Straw Distillery represents an ambitious attempt to bridge the world of traditional moonshine and the early stages of bourbon. At its core, this is a corn and sugar mash spirit, distilled twice, and briefly matured in heavily charred new American oak barrels. Unlike classic unaged moonshine that leans on raw, grain-forward brightness, Darker Side spends four months in wood, where it develops deeper colours, caramelised tones, and a heavier oak imprint. That short resting period brings with it some promise of character, though it also introduces challenges in balance and smoothness.
The idea behind Darker Side is appealing to those who appreciate craft distilling and want to explore something uniquely positioned between categories. It is not quite a young bourbon, not quite a rum, and not quite a classic moonshine — instead, it borrows elements of all three. The sweetness of the sugar lends it a rum-like character, while the corn keeps it anchored to American whiskey traditions. The oak adds a layer of char and smoke that seems aimed at giving early maturity, though the time in wood is ultimately too short to smooth out the rougher edges. It is a spirit that embodies experimentation, and while the vision is intriguing, the execution reveals both highlights and notable flaws.
Eye
amber-copper, medium clarity, light haze, faint sediment, thin to moderate legs, bright flashes of orange, youthful oak hue, golden highlights
When poured, Darker Side shows a surprisingly rich amber-copper tone for a spirit aged just four months, a testament to the heavy char on the barrel. There are flashes of orange and golden light when swirled, which give it some visual appeal. However, the clarity is not perfectly polished; faint haze and occasional particles in the glass remind you this is a young, small-batch product. The legs are thin and inconsistent, clinging only briefly before running down, which speaks to its relatively light body. Still, the colour is deeper than expected, lending it some visual intrigue even if the texture in the glass feels underdeveloped.
Nose
char, oak smoke, burnt sugar, toasted corn kernel, light vanilla, mild caramel, faint baking spices, dusty wood, ethanol heat, hint of green apple, dry hay
On the nose, Darker Side is assertive from the start. Char and burnt sugar dominate, a direct result of the intense barrel treatment. Oak smoke carries through strongly, backed by sweet notes of caramel and vanilla that struggle to balance the harsher woodiness. Corn kernel and dry grain linger underneath, offering a reminder of its moonshine heritage. There are faint layers of baking spice, nutmeg, and a trace of green apple, but these subtler aromas are often overshadowed by ethanol sharpness and dusty wood. The nose promises intensity, but its lack of integration and refinement signals the youth of the spirit more than its maturity.
Palate
sweet corn syrup, charred oak, brown sugar, roasted nut, under-ripe apple, dry spice, touch of nutmeg, bitter cocoa, ethanol warmth, slight vegetal note, toasted grain, lingering heat
The first sip delivers sweetness upfront — corn syrup and brown sugar quickly take the stage. That initial impression is almost rum-like, showing the sugar’s role in the mash. This quickly gives way to a wave of charred oak, which dominates the mid-palate and adds both smokiness and bitterness. Under-ripe apple and a touch of nutmeg bring some brightness, but the flavours remain uneven. A roasted nut note appears briefly, though it fades as ethanol heat pushes forward. A faint cocoa bitterness and even a slight vegetal edge emerge toward the end, showing the spirit’s rough youthfulness. Overall, the palate feels fragmented, with flashes of flavour potential but no consistent balance.
Finish
short-medium, oaky char linger, sugar fade, mild spice, rising heat, drying mouthfeel, fading apple, ashy edge, sharp ethanol, thin sweetness at tail
The finish is one of Darker Side’s weakest aspects. It begins with lingering oak char, quickly followed by the fading memory of burnt sugar. Mild spice and a faint apple tone make a brief appearance, but they are quickly drowned out by sharp ethanol and a drying, almost ashy edge. The sweetness that appeared on the palate tapers off, leaving the mouthfeel slightly hollow. The length is short to medium, but what remains is dominated by wood bitterness and heat rather than complexity. Instead of evolving gracefully, the finish collapses abruptly, leaving little incentive for slow sipping.
Conclusion
Darker Side is a spirit that sparks curiosity but struggles to hold attention. The initial impression — from its bold colour to the smoky, sugary nose — suggests a unique experience. However, on deeper tasting, the flaws are difficult to ignore. The heavy char barrels impart intensity, but they also overwhelm balance, leaving the spirit feeling one-dimensional. The youth shows through in sharp ethanol and lack of integration between sweet and oaky elements. There is a boldness to the approach, but refinement is missing.
For casual drinkers, especially those curious about experimental moonshine styles, Darker Side might offer something worth trying once. It could also work as a mixer in cocktails where its sweetness and char could play against other ingredients. But for serious whiskey drinkers or those seeking depth, it falls short. It remains an interesting concept — a hybrid of moonshine, bourbon, and rum — but the execution leaves it more of a novelty than a reliable pour.
Summary
A novel take with ambition, Darker Side hits several good notes but is held back by over-oakiness and some imbalance. Worth a try, especially for curious drinkers or for cocktails, but not quite a standout in its class.
Category: Traditional moonshine / barrel-aged spirit
ABV: 46 % (laststrawdistillery.com)
Eye: amber-copper, medium clarity, light haze, faint sediment, thin to moderate legs, bright flashes of orange, youthful oak hue, golden highlights
Nose: char, oak smoke, burnt sugar, toasted corn kernel, light vanilla, mild caramel, faint baking spices, dusty wood, ethanol heat, hint of green apple, dry hay
Taste: sweet corn syrup, charred oak, brown sugar, roasted nut, under-ripe apple, dry spice, touch of nutmeg, bitter cocoa, ethanol warmth, slight vegetal note, toasted grain, lingering heat
Finish: short-medium, oaky char linger, sugar fade, mild spice, rising heat, drying mouthfeel, fading apple, ashy edge, sharp ethanol, thin sweetness at tail
History and Fun Facts
Last Straw Distillery is a small-batch distillery based in Vaughan, Ontario, focusing on handcrafted spirits that emphasize character over mass-produced consistency. Darker Side is rooted in a “traditional southern moonshine recipe” built on corn and sugar, but what sets it apart is its short time in wood. Unlike typical unaged moonshine, this spirit spends four months in heavily charred new American oak barrels, which were re-coopered by DRM.reCoop in St. Catharines, Ontario. The idea was to give moonshine a darker, richer personality without the years of aging required for bourbon. (laststrawdistillery.com)
Despite its youth, Darker Side has received recognition, earning a silver medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019. This award demonstrates that even unconventional spirits can capture attention when judged against peers. Critics and reviewers have noted that it straddles categories: some see it as a proto-bourbon, others as a rum-like moonshine hybrid. The use of sugar in the mash contributes to that split identity, giving it a sweetness unfamiliar to pure bourbons. (therumhowlerblog.com)
For drinkers in Ontario, Darker Side offers a glimpse into the creativity of local craft distillers experimenting with tradition. While it may not be a refined sipper, its existence speaks to a broader movement of Canadian micro-distilleries pushing boundaries and taking risks. For those curious about how moonshine can evolve with even a short time in oak, it provides an accessible — if uneven — introduction.