Sonoma Distiller’s Edition: Cherrywood Rye Whiskey 47.8% ABV $50 Website What the Distiller Says
About Sonoma Distilling Co. Owner/whiskeymaker Adam Spiegel, distilling since 2010 Non-GMO grains milled in-house Direct-fire heated 250-gallon Copper Alembic pot stripping stills Barrel size: 15, 30 and 53 gallons of new American Oak from Minnesota & Missouri 3rd degree charred, 12-24 month dry aged wood
AGED: A minimum of fifteen months with majority of blends above two years
FLAVOR PROFILE: Dried figs, toasted almonds, brandied cherries, and new leather.
What Gary Says Nose: Bright, orange/citrus spice with smoke, subtle notes of furniture polish and balsamic vinegar. Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, rich fruit notes of cherry and bitter orange, hint of cinnamon with pepper spice kicking in at the back. Finish: On the short side with subtle pepper spice. Comments: Of the four whiskies, I found this to be the most complex and unique. The orange notes remind me a little of Grand Marnier (like if a few drops of that were added to rye whiskey). I thought the inclusion of wheat in a rye whiskey mashbill was quite odd (not sure I’d ever seen that), and as is my nature – I couldn’t help but wonder what this would be like with 100% rye. I don’t pick out what the wheat is bringing to the party, but I also don’t pick out anything negative about it. This is a nice, unique whiskey I’d be more than happy to sip neat, as well as throw into a Manhattan. Rating: Stands Out
We would like to thank Sonoma Distilling Co. and Verdant PR & Marketing for sending us a bottle to review.
46% ABV $40 – $45 Website We would like to thank Sonoma Distilling Co. and Verdant PR & Marketing for sending us a bottle to review.
What the Distiller Says
About Sonoma Distilling Co. Owner/whiskeymaker Adam Spiegel, distilling since 2010 Non-GMO grains milled in-house Direct-fire heated 250-gallon Copper Alembic pot stripping stills Barrel size: 15, 30 and 53 gallons of new American Oak from Minnesota & Missouri 3rd degree charred, 12-24 month dry aged wood
WHISKEY TYPE: Rye Whiskey MASH BILL 80% Rye (Origin: California & Canada) 20% Malted Rye (Origin: United Kingdom)
AGED: A minimum of fifteen months with majority of blends above two years
FLAVOR PROFILE: Vanilla, allspice, white pepper, dried apricot, and walnut
What Gary Says
Nose: Bright, sweet minty evergreen with lime zest and a hint of dill. Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet vanilla ice cream with a spoonful of orange sherbet with subtle baking spices, freshly cracked pepper and some citrus zip. Finish: Short and damp with a fading pepper spice and a subtle tannic oak note. Comments: I believe Sonoma Distilling’s first whiskey release was a rye (to be clear, that was several years back; this is NOT that initial batch or anything), so rye isn’t a new expression for them. On the nose this is definitely a young rye, but rye whiskey is one of those spirits that I think starts to shine at a young age (which isn’t to say I don’t enjoy an older rye). If I could only drink whiskey from any category that was 3 yrs old or lower, I’d pick rye every single time (thankfully, we live in a world without such idiotic conundrums, eh!) The palate is smoother than the nose advertises, but then picks up with some edge. I really like this mashbill – with 100% rye (none of that “barely legal rye” stuff here), and the 20% being malted makes it unique as well. Not to belabor the point, but again it leaves me wishing they would scrap the smaller barrels, and maybe let it get to 3 or 4 yrs old. As it stands, I think this is very drinkable, and has a lot of potential in cocktails.
Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Small Batch Rye 43% ABV $35 Website What the Distiller Says
KILBEGGAN DISTILLING COMPANY INTRODUCES A NEW STYLE OF IRISH WHISKEY DATING NEARLY 100 YEARS IN KILBEGGAN® SMALL BATCH RYE
Double distilled and matured in Ireland’s oldest continually licensed distillery, Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye is an innovation that pays tribute to the golden age of Irish whiskey
Chicago, IL (October 18, 2018) – Today, the Kilbeggan Distilling Company celebrates the limited-edition release of Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye, the only modern Irish whiskey of record to feature such a high quantity of rye within its mash. It is the first whiskey 100% distilled and matured at the Kilbeggan Distillery to be released since its restoration was completed in 2010. Each bottle is a testament to the spirit of the Kilbeggan community, whose unwavering dedication and perseverance have kept the distillery alive for more than 260 years.
“Following the restoration of the Kilbeggan Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, our team was inspired to create this remarkable whiskey rooted in Irish distilling heritage,” says John Cashman, Beam Suntory Global Brand Ambassador, Irish Whiskey. “It is a truly unique spirit, featuring a rare mash that has produced a flavor unlike anything available today.”
Featuring a mash of malt, barley, and approximately 30% rye, this whiskey hearkens back to the late-1800s, when many large Irish distillers used rye in their mashes. However, this spicy grain virtually disappeared from the Irish Whiskey category around the time of Prohibition and the Irish War of Independence.
Double distilled to 86 proof in Kilbeggan’s copper pot stills – one of which is the oldest working whiskey pot still in the world today – Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye is the first of its kind in today’s market. Due to the nature of its mash, the flavor profile of Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye is notably softer than familiar American rye whiskies. The combination of rye, malt and barley produces an oily, viscous, creamy whiskey, bristling with rye and barley spice. As both Irish whiskey and rye whiskey enjoy a resurgence, Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye is a true innovation within both categories, with a smooth, spicy flavor profile sure to excite whiskey drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Due to its mellow and spicy character, Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye is best enjoyed neat. If using this whiskey in a cocktail, we recommend an Old Fashioned: 2 parts Kilbeggan® Rye, 2 dashes aromatic bitters, and a bar spoon of simple syrup or cinnamon syrup. Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, and stir briefly. Serve over a large ice cube and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
This limited-edition Irish whiskey will be available in the United States in mid-November 2018 with a suggested retail price of $34.99 (750ml). It joins the U.S. portfolio alongside permanent expressions Kilbeggan® Blended Irish Whiskey (40% ABV) and Kilbeggan® Single Grain Irish Whiskey (43% ABV).
AROMA: Soft green fruits combine with a rich creamy aroma and give way to white pepper, citrus, and soft ginger spices TASTE: Beautiful warming mouthfeel of textured vanilla cream, floral spice, clove, and forest sorrel, building to a crescendo of warm spice and biscuit dryness FINISH: Immensely long and nuanced, thick buttery coating with a return to the vanilla and a spicy, oily coating that remains long after the finish
What Gary Says Nose: Bright, young malt with notes of pine, dill, ginger and sour apple candy. Palate: Creamy to oily mouthfeel, sweet vanilla custard with pears, allspice and a hint of ginger; builds to a spicy edge with a bit of clove. Finish: Short to moderate in length, on the wet side with pepper spice building as it trails. Comments: This is non-age stated, but I’d guess it is a young rye – which isn’t a bad thing. Some folks tend to read “young” as a negative descriptor, but rye whiskey is one category that I think shines pretty well at a young age – better than bourbon for sure (can’t say about young Irish whiskey though). This has a really nice viscous body thanks to the pot still distillation – as well as skipping the traditional third distillation (I know that’s a hallmark of Irish whiskey, but I for one am glad to see someone challenging that notion!) I really like this, and am excited to see some rye mashbills coming from Ireland. For fans of rye whiskey who find Irish to be “too smooth”, this might be the gateway that gets them interested in exploring another category (and if you’re really a whiskey geek, the price point on this probably pushes it into “Must Try” range). Rating: Stands Out
We would like to thank Kilbeggan and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.
Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey 54.45% ABV $100-$125 Website What the Distiller Says A FULL-BODIED TASTE THAT CANNOT BE IMITATED
Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey is a well balanced Rye, bolstered by sweet tones of maple, brown sugar and light citrus sweetness. Finish with a hint of oak & no burn on the throat. Due to our carefully unique distilling process, Peerless offers a smooth taste that differs from many other ryes. Peerless Rye is a palatable sipping Rye to be savored with friends and family.
Every Drop Honestly Crafted Non-Chill Filtered Strictly Sweet Mash Barrel Proof No Water Added
What Gary Says Nose: Rye spice, dill, burnt toast, oak, citrus zip, milk chocolate, caramel with hints of anise and clove. Palate: Sweet molasses with bitter orange chocolate, caramel apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, almonds with some pepper spice at the back. Finish: Short to moderately long, wet with a dill spice note. Comments: If tasting this blind, I absolutely would have pegged this as older than the 24 months that it is; probably guessing closer to 4 to 6 years old. It actually reminds me a bit of Willett 5 yr Straight Rye single barrels (which were MGP distilled at the time, and bottled at 110 proof) – which isn’t a bad thing as I really loved those. Don’t get me wrong – this is unique from that. The best thing I can say about it is that it tastes way better than any other 2 yr rye I’ve had (can’t think of a 2 yr whiskey I’ve liked better actually). But the price is crazy absurd. I know whiskey pricing today isn’t what it was 5 years ago (when those Willett 5 yr ryes were $35-$40). But I’m sorry – I’m never going to pay $100+ for a 2 yr rye (or 2 yr whiskey – period). Never. Is there anything wrong with the whiskey itself? No – it is well balanced, and I’ll agree with the general consensus that it punches well above its weight. But the price point would have to be cut well below half before I’d be a buyer. Yes, it is tasty – but there is a LOT of tasty whiskey I enjoy as much for a whole lot less cash. Rating: Stands Out
I would like to thank my dad for bringing me a sample to review.
Rye whiskey traces its American roots as far back as the 18th century. Winchester Rye Whiskey builds upon this American tradition. It is a premium rye whiskey, traditionally distilled, barrel aged and uniquely ultrasonic filtered to deliver an exceptionally smooth finish and truly great taste. Aged a minimum of 6 months in new oak.
What Gary Says
Nose: Bright, young rye, mint, lime soda with a hint of dill. Palate: Smoother, cereal sweet with a bit of malty orange candy. Finish: Short and wet (not peppery). Comments: This is a Total Wine private label produced by TerrePURE spirits in South Carolina. I’ll not get into their whole process, other than to state in my experience, the “unwanted, harsh-tasting congeners” their process reduces . . . might otherwise be known as “character”. If I wasn’t a fan of rye whiskey, there isn’t anything objectionable about this – nothing off-putting. But it doesn’t deliver on my expectations of rye whiskey, which is harsh and brash. On the nose it is very much a young rye, but on the palate it is too smooth and tame. For the same price, if I want a rye whiskey, I’d go for several other options.
