Rye Whiskey

Restoration Kentucky Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Restoration Kentucky Rye Whiskey
2020 Batch 2

49.5% ABV
$40
Website
Restoration Rye Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

The release of Castle & Key’s first whiskey
Whiskey takes time. We started this journey in 2014, barreling our first product in 2016. In 2020, we feel it’s ready to share.

Each batch of our Restoration Rye Whiskey is blended using a series of pods. Each pod is created by grouping barrels to create a specific sensory profile.

Size: 57 Barrels

Mashbill
17% Yellow Corn
63% Rye
20% Malted Barley

Aroma: Bright, Lemon Peel, Toasted Oak, Apricot, Wild Flower, Honey, Graham Cracker
Taste: Pie Crust, Honeysuckle, Mint, Agave Nectar, Dry Cinnamon, Light Stone Fruit
Finish: Cooling, Spearmint with light mouth numbing

What Gary Says

Nose:  Intense mint, dill, orange and lemon zest, bit of anise, tarragon, malt, hints of candied tropical fruit (maybe pineapple).
Palate:  Honey, citrus spice with cinnamon, mint, corn syrup and pepper.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with minty sweetness and pepper.
Comments:  First thing that caught my eye as a whisk(e)y geek was the absence of ‘straight’ on the label. I scratched my head and pondered what the implications were (as the possibilities didn’t seem to align with what I would expect). I reached out to Castle & Key to ask if they could shed any light, and they responded that there “…is no particular reason as to why the label does not say ‘Straight Rye Whiskey’. In fact, future labels will be changed to designate it as a ‘Straight Rye Whiskey'”. Was glad to hear that (as it implies this qualifies in every way), and glad they will update future labels. But I digress – the whiskey itself definitely stands-out as unique, with some herbal spice notes on the nose to go with the minty/dill that rye fans such as myself enjoy. The higher malted barley content I’m sure is a big contributor to that, and I can’t wait to see some more mature rye coming out of Castle & Key. If you ever have a chance to tour their facility – do it. Had the pleasure of visiting the site in April 2017 before it was open to the public and they were still working on the restoration itself, then again in April 2019 (when it was open to the public). What a difference two years made! If you love whiskey history, or just really cool picturesque surroundings – check it out.

Rating: Stands Out

Restoration Kentucky Rye Whiskey Read More »

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

56.1% ABV
$60
Website
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

Crafted in one of the few distilleries to remain dedicated to the art of rye whiskey, Rare Breed Rye is a blend of non-chill filtered rye. It is barrel-proof, meaning that it’s uncut, bottled directly from the barrels at the proof it is reached in those barrels. It is sister to award-winning Rare Breed bourbon and the first permanent super-premium rye in the Wild Turkey family.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fresh dill, vanilla, oak, mint, lime zest, herbal, pepper and cinnamon.
Palate:  Vanilla, clove, tangerines, oak, cinnamon, mint, nutmeg and a hint of white chocolate.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with pepper, mint and honey.
Comments:  Intense rye spice like you’d hope for/expect from Wild Turkey! The Wild Turkey 101 Rye is one of my favorites, and this turns that up a notch. The non-chill filtering is a plus, as it thickens up nicely with a bit of water. Maintains a nice balance of sweetness with rye spice. I did a couple blind tastings of this against Pikesville (which required the black Glencairns, as this is lighter in color enough that it stood out), and on three different days, I preferred the Pikesville over this – finding this to have less sweetness and more spice. But sometimes that’s what you’re in the mood for – is that hit of rye spice. And it was pretty close on 2 of the 3 tastings as well – highlighting how much WE have to do with it versus the whiskey.

Rating: Stands Out

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Read More »

Stellum Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Stellum Rye
Cask Strength Blend of Straight Rye Whiskies

58.12% ABV
$55
Website
Stellum Rye
We would like to thank Stellum Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Stellum Spirits is a new national brand created and produced by Barrel Craft Spirits® (BCS). Please see this release for additional details!

The identity of Stellum Rye is rooted in a tried and true 95% Rye Indiana mash bill. To enhance this classic style, we incorporate small amounts more barley-forward rye and choice barrels from both Kentucky and Tennessee. This brings a full, round mouthfeel and flashes of buttery sweetness to an otherwise spicy and tightly focused Rye Whiskey.

TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep copper.
Nose: Stewed apples, peaches, and pears dominate the initial nose, along with an undertone of baking spices. Nutmeg and clove provide a counterbalance to the sweet fruits, while a light mint and licorice note bring further depth to the aroma.
Palate: Aniseed, cardamom, and coriander wake up your palate with an intense spice punch. Notes of lemon peel and tangerine coming from the rye grain provide a nice citrus component to the overall spiciness. As the whiskey breathes in the glass, fresh green apples and spearmint arise, which offers just enough of a sweet component to engage all your taste buds.
Finish: Star anise, white pepper, and mint linger on the palate before fading into a honey-sweetened jasmine green tea.

With the Addition of Water: The citrus notes on the palate become more pronounced with candied lemon and orange peels, all supported by a mint simple syrup like you would find in a derby julep.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruity with baked apples, pears, citrus notes with baking spices and herbs, fresh dill, mint, hint of anise and lemongrass.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet spicy notes with citrus fruit, cracked pepper, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, apple, chilis with honey and orange.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp with rye spice, mint, honey and pepper.
Comments:  Another really solid blend. I’m a fan of cask strength rye, and this is a really lovely example of the spirit. Nothing against ‘barely legal’ rye whiskey, with only 51% rye in the mashbill – as I definitely enjoy that too. But that ultra-high rye mashbill gives some nice herbal spice notes, while trading off some of the caramel/vanilla sweetness. I decided to try this in a blind tasting against Pikesville Rye, which is a 6 yr old straight rye bottled at 55% ABV (and similarly priced). The two are distinctly different, and both great examples of a well made rye. I couldn’t pick a favorite because I really like what they both have to offer! If you’re a fan of high-rye rye, this is definitely one I’d urge you to try.

Rating: Must Try

Stellum Rye Read More »

Barrell Seagrass

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Barrell Seagrass
Rye Whiskey Finished in Martinique Rum, Madeira & Apricot Brandy Barrels

59.2% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Seagrass
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Barrell Seagrass is an ode to coastal memories, blended to evoke the joy of a day on the beach and an evening listening to the soothing rhythm of waves. Hot sun, brisk air, dry sand, and oceanside vegetation are brought to mind. A ripe and inviting tropical nose and grassy, bright body evolve to a finish as long as the view down the shore on a clear day.

Seagrass highlights the grassy oceanside notes we love in rye and the opulence and spice of finishing barrels. It is a blend of American and Canadian rye whiskeys, with each ingredient meticulously sourced and finished separately in Martinique Rhum Agricole casks, apricot brandy casks, and Madeira barrels.

Each component whiskey brings its own attributes to Seagrass, revealing unique layers of flavor from start to finish. In classic Barrell Craft Spirits fashion, Seagrass is a true original, with its own unique personality in the BCS Portfolio and the whiskey landscape at large.

FLAVOR NOTES

A basket brimming with tropical and orchard fruits lies at the heart of this juicy whiskey, with prominent tones of ripe apricot from the brandy casks. The tropical notes are kept in check by a broad array of spicy and herbaceous rye aromas and complemented by the delicate florals of grassy, Martinique rhum. With a splash of water, the oxidized Madeira notes emerge, candying the fruit and bringing out an earthiness on the palate.

​Neat
Appearance: A pale tawny with straw highlights.
Nose: High concentrations of bright, fruity esters lend a perfume-like character to the aroma. Honeydew melon and plum sit alongside a slice of ripe apricot resting out in the sun. The underlying rye is revealed by a sea-like salinity, tarragon, and elderflower.
Palate: Sweet and juicy, Seagrass opens on pear, lychee, and white grapefruit. Classic rye flavors of cinnamon, rosemary, fennel seed, and rosehip aren’t far behind. Unctuous texture and sandy tannin are complemented by a delicate astringency so common to Canadian whiskeys.
Finish: Fresh and clean, but the persistent tannin and astringency focus the powerful burst of camphor, chalk dust, and scorched earth.

With a few drops of spring water

Despite bright notes of passionfruit and geranium, the nose settles down considerably. The fresh notes are now candied — papaya, orange peel, and ginger. Liege waffle and beef tallow lay a rich foundation. The palate grows creamier, displaying french vanilla ice cream, pawpaw, and orris root.

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright and fruity, with poached pears, melon, a soft citrus note, gentle rye spice, honeysuckle and fennel, with a hint of cedar.
Palate: Sweet with tropical fruit notes of kiwi and grapefruit, vanilla, cinnamon, savory spice notes with pepper.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with herbal earthy notes.
Comments: Really interesting rye, with tropical notes along with that cedar note I get in a lot of Canadian rye. Non-age stated, but I asked and they shared that the barrels used range in age from 5 to 12 yrs old, and the various finish durations ranged from 3 weeks to about 6 months. I’m a fan of finished whisk(e)y, and appreciate the uniqueness going on in this dram, which floats between sweet and savory nicely. If you don’t like finished rye, this might not be up your alley – although I would still try it if you have a chance.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Barrell Seagrass Read More »

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2020

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2020
Canadian Rye Whisky

63.9-66.0% ABV (sample reviewed @ 66%)
$70
Website
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
We would like to thank Alberta Distillers and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Alberta Distillers, one of the first distilleries to create a true 100% rye whisky, is proud to introduce a limited-edition cask-strength whisky to the U.S. market: Alberta® Premium Cask Strength Rye. Originally released in Canada earlier this year, the limited-edition rye is crafted and distilled in Calgary, Alberta using pure 100% prairie rye mash bills and Rocky Mountain water. The result is a perfectly balanced liquid that reflects the brand’s Canadian heritage and expert whisky craftsmanship.

Making a name for itself in the Canadian market, Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye comes to the U.S. after being sold out for months in Canada. Whisky fans can taste the purity in every bottle, distilled from the finest Canadian prairie grains grown by local farmers and refreshing glacier-fed Rocky Mountain spring water. This limited-edition, 100% rye is a very sippable whisky, best enjoyed neat with a drop of water or on the rocks.

“Alberta Distillers prides ourselves on being the producer of the world’s number one selling 100% rye whisky in Alberta® Premium,” George Teichroeb, General Manager of Alberta Distillery said. “We wanted to release a cask strength rye so our whisky fans can experience a 100% rye whisky in its purest form: straight from the barrel. This whisky truly is a great representative of our commitment to crafting superior rye whisky.”

The original Canadian release of this whisky left a mark on experts and consumers alike this past year, earning accolades such as Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best Cask Strength at the Canadian Whisky Awards and Gold at the Canadian Whisky Awards. It’s also crafted at the distillery that was awarded the Distillery of the Decade by the Canadian Whisky Awards.

Packaged in an eye-catching, faceted glass bottle, Alberta Premium Cask-Strength Rye features the below characteristics:

  • ABV: 63.9% – 66.0%
  • Color: Amber gold
  • Aroma: Sweet, woody and oaky with a hint of vanilla
  • Taste: Exceptionally smooth with notes of caramel, vanilla, and just a hint of chocolate that balance the spiciness of rye and black currant
  • Finish: Smooth and lingering with the complexity of spice, warm vanilla and dark fruit

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft vanilla with subtle oak, cedar, mint, nutmeg, hints of cherries and maple.
Palate:  Caramel and vanilla, milk chocolate, black currants, figs, cinnamon, nutmeg, cracked pepper with a bit of clove.
Finish:  Moderate in length, syrupy, fruity and lingering baking spices.
Comments:  I really love how rye whisky matures north of the U.S. border, and in particular in Alberta. I often get these cedar and maple notes which just feel very Canadian to me, and with older whisky it doesn’t get overly influenced from the oak. This is non-age stated, although doesn’t strike me as what I’d consider ‘young’ (4 years or less). Sampling this over the course of a week, I really enjoyed it. On the nose it benefits from sitting a bit in the glass (66% ABV is up there!) to let the alcohol vapors dissipate, and it takes water really well – bringing out more cedar and maple on the nose, and thickening the mouthfeel while amping up the fruit notes on the palate. There isn’t a lot of cask strength, 100% rye whisky out there – and this is priced fairly given that, so if you’re a fan of that sorta thing (which I am!) I’d pick one up while you can. OH – almost forgot, a premium bottle with a screwcap (which I consider bonus points; I prefer a pragmatic, tried/true solution for my bottle closures).

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 2020 Read More »