2023

Barrell Rye Private Release 1A11
Rye Whiskey Finished in Armagnac Cask

60.05% ABV
$110
Website

What the Blender Says

Private Release rye whiskeys are painstakingly assembled from Barrell’s deep stocks of rye whiskeys. After creating precise custom blends, we finish each assemblage in single casks, many previously used for other spirits or wines. Each single barrel release explores the huge range of spicy, herbaceous, and earthy flavors within rye itself, as well as its interactions with a kaleidoscope of different finishing casks.

For this special series, BCS selected Rye whiskeys from Indiana and Canada and then blended them into unique recipes with variations on a theme. Beginning with 10 initial selections, each release will feature a blend of Rye whiskey designed for its unique finishing cask.

• Rye Whiskey finished in an Armagnac Cask
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Bourbon Whiskey Barrel
• Rye Whiskey finished in an XO Cognac Cask
• Rye Whiskey finished in an Oloroso Sherry Barrel
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Madeira Barrel
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Ruby Port Barrel
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Barbados Rum Cask
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Sauternes Barrel
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Tokaji Barrel
• Rye Whiskey finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Barrel

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rye toast, cedar, fig jam, subtle citrus notes and a hint of nylon rope.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, a citrus-heavy fruit salad with bitters, black cherries, cinnamon, thyme, clove and pepper.
Finish:  Long and drying with honey, orange zest and pepper.
Comments:  The nose is deceptively soft for a rye whiskey, although that softness along with the cedar are familiar for Canadian rye. This dram benefits from some air time in the glass (some whiskey drinkers use the rule of one minute in the glass for every year in the cask; I don’t typically have that much patience but you’ll be rewarded if you give it just a few minutes!) Very citrus-forward palate, with a lovely herbal spiciness. If the nose lured you into expecting a sweet, soft taste – the palate is going to remind you “I’m all rye baby!” A bit of water really brightens up the citrus and brings forward some floral notes, as well as tamps down the spicy edges (without drowning them out all together).

Rating: Stands Out

Knob Creek 7 Year Old
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

50% ABV
$37
Website

We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

Knob Creek® is excited to announce the addition of an age statement to its flagship straight rye whiskey, Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. This update is a testament to the care and innovation behind the super-premium whiskey inside and reinforces Knob Creek’s commitment to continue to produce the world-class whiskies its fans know and love. Made pre-Prohibition style, Knob Creek 7 Year Old Rye is carefully crafted and patiently aged for seven years in deeply charred barrels, producing a full-flavored rye whiskey with notes of American Rye spice, sweet vanilla and oak, in line with what fans have come to expect from Knob Creek.

Knob Creek has set the standard for American Whiskey for more than 30 years and has lived up to such standards with the addition of an age statement to its rye whiskey. Enjoyed as the base in an Old Fashioned cocktail or over ice, it doesn’t matter how you drink it, it’s all about how you enjoy it.

TASTING NOTES
Knob Creek 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey brings the deliciously rich and savory notes of rye to life in a way that only Knob Creek can – creating a versatile, full-flavored straight rye whiskey that offers smooth spice in every sip.
PROOF: 100
COLOR: Amber brown
AROMA: Sweet caramel and vanilla mixed with deep round rye spice accompanied by apple and floral notes with a hint of leather
TASTE: Full body with balanced black pepper, sweet vanilla, and caramel finished with lingering oak and rich spice
FINISH: Warm and smooth with spice throughout

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, oak, toasted orange zest, fall leaves, hint of peanuts with rye spices.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, caramel, chocolate orange, vanilla, mint and honey.
Finish:  Moderately long with caramel, cola and orange.
Comments:  This is a really nice rye whiskey – well balanced, not too sharp/spicy and also not too subtle/sweet. It had been a while since I’d had the non-age stated Knob Creek Rye, and I wasn’t a big fan at the time. Then in 2018 when Beam released the Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye, I loved that – so knew that Beam had solid rye whiskey. Not sure what they’ve done beyond the age statement, but appreciate the end result. If you’ve tried the previous version and weren’t impressed, I’d definitely give this one a shot.

Rating: Stands Out