60.5% ABV (for sample provided; varies by barrel) $90 Website We would like to thank Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
Bottled at cask strength, this Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is what other ryes work hard to grow up to be. Tennessee does a lot of things well; growing rye is not one of them. So, we sought out the best from other states. Each of our inaugural barrels hails from New York, where they aged in new American oak for a minimum of four years after a short stint in B.C., where they were born.
These barrels began as a lofty experiment in 2017. Was it possible to create an ultra-smooth whiskey, with flavor galore, made from 100% rye? That was the question. The answer took a while but was well worth the wait: hell yeah.
What Gary Says
Nose: Rye toast, corn flakes, salted caramel, orange honey, cinnamon and a hint of anise. Palate: Caramel, orange bitters, bursting with rye spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and lemongrass. Finish: Moderately long, drying with chili spice and citrus. Comments: I tried this side by side against the Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey, which probably isn’t a fair comparison. The Uncut/Unfiltered is $60 more, but is the same mashbill, and the descriptions of treatment are similar (although both are non-age stated, and I suspect that is where the difference lies – besides this offering being a single barrel). While there is similarity between the two, I preferred the other. I found this to be a bit hot, thinner, and likely a bit younger (although not “young”). Now as a single barrel, maybe the one I tried is an outlier. It does take water well, and thickened up nicely. This is a very spicy and hot rye – which I think makes for a great cocktail.
Stellum Black The Lone Cypress Cask Strength Blend of Straight Rye Whiskies
57.67% ABV $100 Website We would like to thank Stellum Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
This savory and delicate rye blend is defined by notes of dried herbs and pine, with a hint of salt-air salinity. It’s named for one of the world’s most famous trees, found on the picturesque coast of the Monterey Peninsula.
TASTING NOTES Color: Russet. Nose: Soft aromas of cedar and a buckwheat honey sweetness. Slight notes of burnt orange peels and an apricot kernel-like nuttiness. Lingering pleasant spices like toasted allspice and peppercorns. Palate: It immediately coats the mouth and presents a flavor reminiscent of saltwater taffy. There are satisfying notes of ripe apricot and peach skins complimented by freshly baked pastry dough. Finish: On the exhale, there are faint flavors of chamomile tea and more baked goods like an apple cider donut. The orchard fruit flavors persist and become jammy.
With 3 drops OF WATER: The slight addition of water brings out its savory edge. Now crushed peppercorn becomes more present, bringing subtle notes of fennel and licorice along. The fruit notes soften and become akin to poached pears and cinnamon.
What Gary Says
Nose: Honey, fresh cedar, pine, mint, orange zest, cinnamon, and a hint of juniper. Palate: Thick with nectarines, cinnamon, mint, light caramel, peaches, pepper and savory herbs. Finish: Moderate in length, drying with cinnamon, lemon and pepper. Comments: I can’t recall getting juniper in a whiskey before (in fact when I first nosed, I wondered “Is this a whiskey finished in gin barrels?”) It isn’t that heavy – but just caught me by surprise. Grapefruit comes out with some water, and it softens the palate while keeping that lovely viscosity. This is a rye whiskey for folks who really like that sharp, acidic bite that rye offers (not that ‘barely legal rye’ nonsense, although I enjoy those as well).
57% ABV $80 Website We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
ST. LOUIS (Nov. 1, 2022) – Lux Row Distillers announced the newest variant in the Ezra Brooks brand family: Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey. A limited allocation of 3,000 six-pack cases of Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey will reach retail shelves across the country later this month at a suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750 ml bottle.
Like other members of the Ezra Brooks brand family, Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled using the highest-quality ingredients and charcoal filtered for mellow flavor and a smooth finish. Old Ezra 7-Year Rye features two rye mashbills (51% rye whiskey and 95% rye whiskey), is aged a full seven years and is bottled at full proof (114 proof, or 57% ABV) to deliver a full, complex flavor.
“With Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey, we’ve delivered a rye whiskey worthy of the Old Ezra label,” said Lux Row Distillers master distiller John Rempe. “This tasty 7-year-old rye offers slightly sweet and oaky tones with hints of vanilla and honey, and it finishes with a warm touch of spice and tobacco. It’s certain to become a favorite among both rye fans and fans of the Ezra Brooks brand family.”
The introduction of Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey comes on the heels of Old Ezra 7-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s recent “Best Overall Bourbon” win at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Like its bourbon namesake, Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey features a high-end, custom-designed bottle. Its green, jewel-toned label is highlighted by a 7-year age statement and gold and copper foil accents.
What Gary Says
Nose: Rich, chocolate with toasted orange zest, cinnamon, honey, nutmeg, fruitcake and pipe tobacco. Palate: Thick and warm, chocolate with orange bitters, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, nutmeg, bit of anise and clove with tangerines. Finish: Moderately long, damp with citrus, pepper spice and cocoa. Comments: I love rye whiskey around this age range and proof. This one in particular with the various spice notes on the nose left me with the impression of ‘Christmas in a bottle’. Just really nice mouthfeel, those big spice notes you hope for in a rye, and a nice balance with sweetness (and a chocolate note that I don’t get a ton with rye). A bit of water brightens it up, bringing out some mint and rickhouse must, with the mouthfeel transitioning to creamy.
49.8% ABV $50 Website We would like to thank Still Austin and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
Austin, TX (November 29, 2022) – Two years ago, Still Austin Whiskey Co. launched its Straight Bourbon, affectionately known as “The Musician.” The flagship spirit took Texas by storm, becoming one of the fastest-selling spirits in the history of the Lone Star State—and winning Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Now, the grain-to-glass distiller is proud to announce that “The Musician” has a new companion. Introducing “The Artist,” a 100% Straight Rye Whiskey made from Texas grains that’s dedicated to the dreamers, visionaries, and artists who have inspired the team. Aged for at least two years and bottled at 99.6 proof (49.8% ABV), the new flagship rye whiskey represents the culmination of years of effort in which all the ingredients came together perfectly to create a work of art that feels, somehow, effortless. The spirit’s blushing, oaky hue foretells a complex nose, with hints of honey, cherries, fig, clove and coffee. The palate of spicy chocolate, apricot, sandalwood, ginger and caramel gives way to lingering after-impressions of cinnamon, molasses, nutmeg and orange zest.
“Our team put a lot of hard work and love into this release,” said Brandon Joldersma, Chief Operating Officer, Still Austin Whiskey Co. “We could not be prouder to bring another expression to life that represents the spirit of our city.”
The artwork on the label, created by internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt, is the latest in the series of “archetypical” Austinites (e.g. The Musician, The Naturalist). Each provides a sense of the people who have influenced and inspired the team, while paying homage to the Texas terroir.
The Artist Straight Rye Whiskey is now available at the Still Austin distillery tasting room for the suggested retail price of $50.00 is available in Texas, online and at Reserve Bar.
What Gary Says
Nose: Honey, vanilla sugar cookies, cherries, sweet tobacco with a hint of mint. Palate: Caramel, apricots, orange, oak, cinnamon, pepper and ginger. Finish: Short to moderate in length, drying with citrus spice and mint. Comments: For a two-year old rye, this is pretty solid. No, it isn’t incredibly complex, but more importantly it doesn’t have any off-putting notes that you can easily get with a young whiskey. Does great in an Old Pal cocktail. With the Texas heat, this may not do well with 10+ years, although I’m curious how it matures (hoping that perhaps a Texas Bottled in Bond is in the future).
50% ABV $60 Website We would like to thank Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
SHELBYVILLE, TENN. (November 10, 2022) — Nearest Green Distillery, makers of the most-awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019, 2020, and 2021, has announced that it will add three permanent expressions to its national portfolio before the end of 2022: Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey, Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label and Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye. Uncle Nearest Straight Rye, launched today, is the brand’s first new whiskey available to purchase online and at retailers across the country since the 2019 release of its 1884 Small Batch Whiskey.
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey furthers the brand’s commitment to honoring its namesake, Nearest Green, by creating the highest quality whiskeys possible. The November 10 release follows the sold-out launch of the distillery exclusive Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Rye Whiskey, which has already been met with rave reviews by critics and has received awards from top competitions including being named Best in Class at The Drinks Business & The Spirits Business Autumn Tasting. The 100-proof straight rye, hand-selected by four-time Master Blender of the Year and great-great-granddaughter of Nearest Green, Victoria Eady Butler, features a bold, decadent nose; a palate brimming with light vanilla cream, caramelized sugar, and the unmistakable spice of rye; complimented by a long, rich finish.
“It took us a while to release our 100-proof straight rye whiskey. If we were going to add rye to our lineup, it had to be worthy of all the accolades and awards our other whiskeys receive,” said Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler. “My great-great-grandfather’s legacy of excellence requires us to take our time to do things differently. I’m confident he would have been so proud of this straight rye whiskey.”
Due to the challenges around growing rye in Tennessee, this whiskey originates in Canada – according to the exact American specifications required to be a straight rye whiskey – and is then aged in New York for a minimum of four years before moving down to Tennessee, where it is then rested in used Uncle Nearest barrels for additional maturation. The liquid is then tasted, barrel by barrel, and blended by Victoria.
“When I was doing my research on Nearest Green, I came across a handwritten letter from President William Taft,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. “The letter was dated May 16, 1911, and was addressed to his U.S. Secretary of War, Jacob M. Dickinson, thanking him for sending his favorite rye whiskey ‘of the Lincoln County variety.’ This letter led me to believe rye whiskeys were being made in this area, so after I found that letter there was no doubt in my mind a straight rye whiskey would one day be added to our portfolio of whiskeys.”
This was a lofty experiment that worked. The results of this 100-percent rye mash bill, matured in used Uncle Nearest barrels before being bottled at 100-proof, keeps with our tradition of creating some of the most awarded whiskeys in the world. This is rye whiskey, elevated, hitting every mark with its rich flavor profile, incredible balance of spices, and extraordinarily smooth finish.
NOSE: Bold and decadent with notes of praline, nutmeg and white pepper. PALATE: Brimming with light vanilla cream, caramelized sugar and the unmistakable spice of rye. FINISH: Long, rich and well-balanced.
What Gary Says
Nose: Thick with fresh donuts with maple frosting, cedar, vanilla, bit of citrus and cinnamon. Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with caramel, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, orange marmalade, mint and a bit of clove. Finish: Moderately long and damp with caramel, orange, chocolate and a mineral spice note. Comments: For fans of Canadian rye, this is a classic rendition of that – with a twist. That additional ‘maturation’ (which I’d refer to as ‘finishing’ if it were me – oh, and this is!) in used Uncle Nearest bourbon casks gives it a little something different. Not that Canadian rye has a lot of bite, but it tamps the edges a bit more and brings more caramel to the party. Adding a bit of water brings notes of toffee as well as a nuttiness I really enjoyed, although it is a lovely dram neat as well. This is similar to the recently released cask strength Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye. I did a side-by-side comparison (diluting that to 50% ABV), and they are quite similar – but not identical.
