Rye Whiskey

Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

49.5% ABV
$25
Website

We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This whiskey is 51% rye, 45% corn, 4% malt, and 100% genuine. Bottled at an honest 99 proof, it’s a real straight shooter.

“Based on the success of Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we have elevated the proof for both the Ezra Brooks Rye and Bourbon Cream variants,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Ezra Brooks. “Ezra Brooks 99 Rye drinkers will find the same great rye-whiskey taste, but with enhanced flavor delivered by the higher proof. Similarly, our new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream delivers a bolder, richer expression of the bourbon-cream flavor our customers love.”

TASTING NOTES: Hints of chocolate, leather, vanilla, and spicy grains, balanced by slightly sweet and oaky tones.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Lemongrass, fennel, dried mint, leather, vanilla and a hint of oak.
Palate:  Caramel, nutmeg, toffee, citrus spice with a bit of chocolate.
Finish:  Moderate in length, thick with trailing caramel and oak spices.
Comments:  For a 2 year old rye (minimum, bottle states aged for a minimum of 24 months), this is pretty decent. It’s priced reasonably for today’s market, where most other ryes are coming in at lower proof. For fans of rye, this isn’t going to knock your socks off like the Old Ezra 7 Year Rye – but it’s a third (or less) the price. Nothing objectionable for me as a sipper, and a perfectly serviceable cocktail rye. A bit of water thickens the palate a bit and brings the citrus out from the shadows.

Rating: Stands Out

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

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Cab Franc Barrel Finish
Straight Rye Whiskey

48.75% ABV
$60
Website

We would like to thank Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

100% Rye Whiskey is a difficult spirit to distill. It requires patience and close attention to detail. After aging it for more than five years, we then finish it an additional nine months in cabernet franc barrels from an artisan northern Michigan winery.

• Nose: Sweet cherries, lemongrass, wintergreen, milk chocolate
• Body: Dry and lightly buttery; caraway seed, toasted sesame, and a hint of bitter orange
• Finish: Tannic, whole grains fading to 100% cocoa nibs

What Gary Says

Nose:  Lemongrass, mint, ginger, grapes and pink grapefruit.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, orange bitters, vanilla, honey, red grapes and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with grapefruit, oak tannins and pepper.
Comments:  I’m not a big cab franc fan, so I expected this to be my least favorite of the three Traverse City Whiskey Co. Finished products. Turns out this was my favorite! Really nicely done, well balanced with the cab franc influence there but not heavy handed. The rye whiskey stands up really well to the finishing, and still shines through.

Rating: Stands Out