Average

RIOT. Double Bonded Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

RIOT. Double Bonded Rye
Double Bonded Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys

50% ABV
$50
Website
RIOT. Double Bonded Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Three Chord Bourbon and CHQ Media for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

— First-ever Double Bonded Rye, blending two Bottled-in-Bond ryes from MGP and Bardstown Bourbon Co.
— Label features The Darts, an all female band that has a raw garage-punk energy with a dark, hypnotic groove — think fuzzed-out organs, thundering drums, and fearless vocals.
— This blend of ryes is as unique as the hot pink label in the sea of green ones on the shelf.
— Photo by Ed Arnaud captures the chaos and swagger of the punk ethos.
— Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
— Aged 4–7 years; mash bill: 86% rye, 9% corn, 5% malted barley
Tasting Notes
Color: Clear amber color
Nose: Balanced nut and spice characters
Palate: Balanced spice and oak
Finish: Cooling menthol with spice and oak

What Gary Says

Nose: Rye spice with mint, cinnamon, lemon and tangerine zest with a hint of clove.
Palate: Sharp, warm and spicy with chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, honey and pepper spice.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with cinnamon, mint and caramel.
Comments: None of that ‘barely-legal rye’; that high-rye mashbill definitely comes across loud and clear, and fitting with what they’re going for. This one is also better with a bit of water, which brings out a note of grapefruit on the nose. I like the idea of blending products from different distilleries; looking for something unique that might even be greater than the sum of it’s parts. While there wasn’t anything off-putting to me, this didn’t quite achieve that (although a perfectly serviceable rye, especially if you’re looking for a high-rye rye).

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Flipside Triple Wood Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Flipside Triple Wood Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted French Oak and American Oak Barrels

45% ABV
$35
Website
Flipside Triple Wood Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Three Chord Bourbon and CHQ Media for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

— Honors blues legend Guitar Shorty, known for wild, electrifying performances and his influence on people like Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy
— Photo by Larry Hulst perfectly captures the intensity and creativeness of Guitar Shorty’s live shows
— Double Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
— A blend of straight Kentucky bourbons, aged in new charred American oak barrels, then finished in a mix of new and used toasted French and American oak barrels
— Blend of 4-7 year old bourbons, finished for 2-3 months
— 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
Tasting Notes
Color: Clear amber color
Nose: Sweet butterscotch with light oak and walnut
Palate: Sweet corn and nutty umami character
Finish: Lingering tingly finish

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, slightly sour oak, fall leaves and wood spices.
Palate: Sweet with caramel corn, cinnamon, honey, anise, nutmeg, bit of chocolate and pepper spice.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with vanilla and oak spices.
Comments: The toasted French oak definitely comes through with all of the spice notes. I found this came across a tad hot for 45%. I would have guessed a higher rye mashbill, but the finishing is definitely adding more of a spice kick. A bit of water helps this one out quite a bit.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Backstage Series Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Backstage Series
American Whiskey Finished in Peach Brandy Barrels

53.5% ABV
$200
Website
Three Chord Allman Brothers Backstage Series 2025 Whiskey
We would like to thank Three Chord Bourbon and CHQ Media for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

The Allman Brothers Band Legacy Edition bourbon is a bold Southern blend, just like the band that inspired it. This is a unique mix of 9-year Kentucky bourbon and 11-year whiskey from Tennessee, blended and finished in peach brandy barrels from George Washington’s historic Mount Vernon Distillery. This process results in a rich, full-bodied whiskey with deep oak, caramel, and a hint of ripe stone fruit. Smooth yet powerful at 107 proof, this bourbon plays like an Allman Brothers Band jam—layered, soulful, and built to last. Sip it neat, and let the legacy live on.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, toffee, baked apples, pears, peaches, crème brûlée with a hint of maple syrup.
Palate: Fruity with peaches, pears and apples all dusted with cinnamon and a caramel drizzle, vanilla, bit of maple candy before a sharp pepper spice bite.
Finish: Moderate in length, damp with fruit salad, caramel and pepper.
Comments: This is an interesting dram, and unique. I enjoyed nosing this one much more than sipping it; some interesting layers of complexity on the nose. I found the palate started off interesting but then a sharp pepper bite was a bit off putting. The price would be a non-starter for me. While I appreciate different and unique, unless you’re just a huge Allman Brothers fan wanting to have this for part of a collection – I didn’t care for the whiskey. In fact I set it aside to revisit it later, and liked it less the second time around. Certainly your mileage may vary, but I’d definitely want to have an opportunity to try it first.

Rating: Average

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Duncan Taylor 30 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Duncan Taylor 30 Year
Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$250
Website
Duncan Taylor 30 Year Blended Scotch Whisky
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Retailer* Says

Scotland – A rare blend of whiskies aged at least 30 years from Scotland’s most iconic distilleries. Soft aromas of oak and citrus are found on the nose, while the mouthfeel is viscous. This well balanced whisky consists of complex flavor notes like cereal, caramel and fresh fruit.

* Could find no reliable source of information from the blender/producer; above is from the retailer’s description.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla spongecake, floral, orange creamsicle, heather and honey.
Palate:  Sweet and malty with honey, vanilla, hint of citrus and apples with cinnamon near the back.
Finish:  Moderate in length with citrus and pepper spice.
Comments:  With 30 years maturity, I’m looking (nay – expecting) layers and complexity. This disappointed on both fronts, and was more a showcase of subtly. Having said that, there weren’t any notes I found off-putting, and this left me wanting more – like teasing at what a great whisky it might have been, if only . . . (higher ABV? less grain in the blend?) But when you get to this price point, the absence of off notes isn’t the bar.

Rating: Probably Pass/Average

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Blue Note Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Blue Note Rye Whiskey
Straight Rye Whiskey

46.5% ABV
$35
Website
Blue Note Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank B.R. Distilling Co and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

We age our barrels along the winding bluffs of the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee. The Delta heat and humidity provided by the long, hot summers cook our barrels low and slow like proper Memphis BBQ. This forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor.

Technical Details
Aged: A minimum of three years
Product Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Mash Bill: 95% rye and 5% malted barley
Proof & Filtration: 93 proof, unfiltered

Sensory Notes
Nose: Vanilla and Spice
Body: Crisp
Taste: Crisp Apple, Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Oak
Finish: Inherently smooth with lingering hints of vanilla,
apple, and spice

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, dried mint and a hint of lemon zest.
Palate:  Vanilla, cinnamon, slightly sour apple and a touch of mint.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with mint and vanilla.
Comments:  Rye is the one class of whiskey that I do find to be drinkable at three years old. This definitely tastes young, and I was surprised at the mashbill based on how soft this is. The apple note isn’t something I get on a lot of rye, which usually tends to have a more citrus bend. With a 95% rye mashbill, I expect more of that rye-spice bite which I didn’t get. Similar to Blue Note Juke Joint, nothing objectionable but also not special for the price point.

Rating: Average

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