Rossville Union 2022 Barrel Proof
Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey, Aged 7 Years
58.6% ABV
$70
Website
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.
What the Distillery Says
Ross & Squibb Distillery releases Rossville Union 2022 Barrel Proof
Annual, limited-release straight rye whiskey, now featuring a 7-year age statement
ST. LOUIS (April 12, 2022) – Lawrenceburg, Indiana-based Ross & Squibb Distillery announced the launch of Rossville Union 2022 Barrel Proof, its annual, limited-release straight-rye whiskey. Set to reach retail shelves across the country starting this month, this limited allocation of 3,000 six-pack cases was bottled at 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) and has a suggested retail price of $69.99.
Rossville Union 2022 Barrel Proof features a medley of straight-rye mash bills, distilled by one of the largest producers of rye whiskey in America – Ross & Squibb Distillery. The flavor profile includes an aroma of rye spice, vanilla, caramel, oak, and slight chocolate; forward flavors of sweet caramel and vanilla, moving to baking spices and chocolate; and a lingering finish of rye and a hint of sweet mint.
There were 82 barrels selected for this year’s release, which is displayed on each bottle of Rossville Union Barrel Proof. And for the first time, every bottle prominently features a 7-year age statement.
“Rossville Union 2022 Barrel Proof is another example of the great rye-whiskey tradition we’ve carried on at Ross & Squibb Distillery and yet another reason Indiana is the rye capital of the world,” said Ian Stirsman, master distiller at Ross & Squibb distillery. “As the popularity of rye whiskey continues to grow, we’ve selected another exceptional medley of rye mash bills to satisfy even the most discriminating tastes among the ever-growing numbers of rye-whiskey drinkers.”
What Gary Says
Nose: Rye spice with mint, cinnamon, orange zest, dill, apricot, vanilla, caramel, oak with a hint of cedar.
Palate: Warm and viscous mouthfeel, chocolate orange, vanilla, spicy with pepper, anise, cinnamon, caramel and a hint of lemon.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with citrus spice.
Comments: A really nice high-rye rye (which might sound redundant, but it isn’t – more on this shortly!) Thick mouthfeel, and cracking rye spice which I really enjoy. I’ve long been a fan of the rye coming out of this distillery, whether it was named LDI, MGP or now Ross & Squibb. This takes a bit of water really well, bringing out some grapefruit notes on the nose, and amping up the citrus and cinnamon on the palate. There aren’t a lot of barrel proof, high-rye rye whiskies out there with a 7 year age statement, and if you are a fan of rye, this is one I think you need to try. I really enjoyed this one neat, and look forward to it in some cocktails this summer.
Now – back to high-rye rye 🙂 In bourbon, we think about a ‘wheated’ bourbon versus a ‘high-rye’ bourbon, and I think in the category of rye whiskey, it’s good to think of ‘barely-legal rye’ versus ‘high rye rye’. They are as different as a wheater vs rye bourbon, and maybe more so. With less corn in the mix, you get less of the vanilla and caramel sweet notes, and a lot more of that spicy kick. I did a blind side-by-side with this against Pikesville (which is a barely-legal rye with 51% rye in the mashbill), and they were completely different (and both delicious).