Spirit Works Distillery 8 Year Rye Limited Edition
45% ABV
$90
Website
We would like to thank Spirit Works Distillery and Verdant PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
Whiskey crafting is a true passion for distillery co-founder and head distiller Ashby Marshall, and the distillery is excited to roll out a number of new brown spirit offerings. First in the line-up: a limited edition 8 Year Rye Whiskey, the oldest whiskey bottling in the brand’s portfolio. Selected from some of the distillery’s oldest stocks, the barrels harvested for this very special whiskey are among the first ever produced at Spirit Works Distillery. Carefully chosen to highlight both the grace of an older whiskey and the spicy notes of Rye, these barrels are a glimpse of good things to come ahead in the Spirit Works line up. Expect notes of crème brulee, marzipan, nutmeg, mint on the nose; with poached pears, caramel apple, cinnamon, pumpernickel on the palate. Candied pecans, yellow peaches, coffee and charred cedar create a beautifully complex finish.
Aged in full-size American oak barrels with a 70% rye 30% malted barley mash bill.
What Gary Says
Nose: Rice pudding, oak, orange creamsicle, mint, nutmeg, cinnamon, bit of wood polish and cedar shavings.
Palate: Sweet and fruity with orchard fruits and blood orange, caramel, cinnamon, pepper and a bit of chili spice.
Finish: Moderately long and drying with pepper spice and lingering fruit notes.
Comments: This has a lovely color in the glass, a golden/coppery hue. It drinks a bit on the hot side for 45%, but delivers that rye spice you’re looking for in a ‘high-rye’ content rye whiskey (not to be confused with those ‘barely legal’ rye whiskies where just 51% of the mash is rye). The 30% malted barley also gives it a unique character (I hesitate to say ‘funk’ since that might sound negative, but with no corn in the mix – it is different than most other ryes on the market). This does really well in a cocktail, where the spice holds up well and isn’t hurt with other ingredients bringing some sweetness to the party.