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Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye (Bottled in 2009)
Continuing to clean out some old bottles that need reviewed. Today is one that I’ve had for a bit, the Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Bottled in 2009. This was a “limited release” a while back and I finally cracked it open to give it a sip….
Old Forester Rye
Old Forester Rye has a surprising mash bill given the flavor profile….and why do I think of it as a “Mullet Rye”? And what exactly is a “Mullet Rye”? All that and more awaits you…..
RY3 Rum Cask Finish
Next up is a newer expression of a rye that I have really enjoyed over the past year or so – RY3 Blended Rye Rum Cask Finish. For those unfamiliar with this brand, get familiar with it! I really enjoyed the core release, which is a blended rye and I purchased a bottle of the Cognac Finish release for my Dad for his birthday this past Spring, so when I saw the Rum Finish, I had to give it a sip….
Putnam Rye & Putnam Rye Red Wine Barrel Finish
In honor of Father’s Day, the next review is for Putnam Rye made by Boston Harbor Distillery. I first had this bottle when my wife took me to the distillery for a tasting on my first Father’s Day after my oldest was born…On the 6 year(ish) Father's Day anniversary of my first visit, I thought it appropriate to do a double tasting of the rye and rye finished in red wine barrels….
Old Overholt Straight Rye
Today’s review, in celebration of “World Whiskey Day”, is Old Overholt Rye. Yes, that dusty bottle on the bottom of your local store’s shelf……
New Riff Straight Rye Bottled in Bond
Today’s review is on New Riff Rye Bottled in Bond. I previously did a review on another one of New Riff’s releases, the Single Barrel Bourbon, which I really liked. It was a nice little sipper with some traditional bourbon notes, but gave it a 3x 🥃 due to value, at $10 cheaper, it would have been a 4x 🥃. The Rye, however, is a little more interesting…..
A Midwinter Nights Dream Act 7, Scene 6
Our next review is High West’s A Midwinter Nights Dram Act 7, Scene 6. As evidenced by the Forsythia in the picture, I am a bit late to review this one as the Forsythia is the harbinger of Spring for my area, but then again, I have never been one to limit my whiskey intake based on the season. …
Barrell Rye 13 Year Canadian Rye Single Barrel Cask Strength
Barrell Craft Spirits is a new(er) whiskey maker. If you recall, one of my early reviews was for the company’s other label, Stellum, which focuses on younger and a more affordable price point. Barrell Bourbon and Barrell Ryes, however, tend to be more Batch focused with higher age statements, as well as a few staple labels that are ongoing releases (I’ll review more of those at a later date).
This particular release is a store pick from Gordon’s Wine. Barrel # L941 (Bottle No. 127) which is a 13 year old Canadian Rye which was aged both in Canada and in Kentucky…..
Willett Family Estate Straight Rye Aged 3 Years
The Willett Distillery has a very long history and can be a post in its own right, but the story of this bottle, the Willett Family Estate Straight Rye Whiskey, is much shorter. After sourcing whiskey for a number of years the Willett Distillery started distilling in earnest again in 2012. I happened to visit the distillery in 2017 with a friend and picked up this bottle, which I swear I had opened at some point over the past ~5 years, but upon opening the tube last night, apparently I had not! So I have a fresh review for a 3 year old Rye that I bought 5 years ago which had to have been made within Willett’s first 2 years of distilling. Confused? Me too.
Cream of Kentucky Estate Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Cream of Kentucky is an old brand that was purchased by Jim Rutledge’s new distillery, J.W. Rutledge Distillery. For those who aren’t familiar with the name “Jim Rutledge”, he was the Master Distiller at Four Roses, working there for almost 50 years (from when it was still Seagrams) and reviving the brand here in the U.S….
Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Rye Whiskey - Barrel Proof
Our next review is Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Settlers Select Rye Barrel Proof Whiskey. Wilderness Trail is a “newer” distillery located in Danville, KY. I say “newer” because it has been around for 10 years, launching in 2012, however, instead of rushing out to market they seemed to have focused on building up aged stock. I live in the Northeast of the U.S. and we didn’t get Wilderness Trail distributed up here until mid-late 2021.
Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey
I bought my first bottle of Old Potrero Rye about 10 years ago and it was meh. The bottle remained on my shelf for many years and I finally finished it a while back to clear some space. To be fair, I believe that bottle was young, perhaps a 2 year old? Can’t be certain. This is a long-winded way of saying that I wasn’t looking to give Old Potrero another shot but picked one up last month at @gordonswine in the Greater Boston area after speaking with one of the owners, @thewhiskyguys. This bottle's one of the store’s barrel picks. I generally don’t do store picks except for @gordonswine because they pick great barrels and I have yet to be disappointed. That said, I approached this bottle with some trepidation.
Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
Another cheap-but-great whiskey is the Sazerac Straight Rye, colloquially known as “Baby Sazerac” to distinguish it from its older sibling, the 18 year old BTAC annual release.
It is commonly believed (via the whiskey diehards on the internet) that this is a 6 year old Rye with a mash bill of 51% Rye, 39% corn and 10% malted barley. What we do know is that it is labeled as a “Straight Rye” without a specific age statement so it is at least 4 years old. I don’t believe anyone has ever confirmed the mash bill, but people seem to believe that this is the one rye mash bill that Buffalo Trace makes (Sazerac is made by Buffalo Trace, who is in fact owned by Sazerac, confusing? Sure). Let’s see how this one fared…
WhistlePig 12 Year Old World Cask Finished “Bespoke Blend”
Whistlepig 12 year Rye Old World Cask Finished “Bespoke Blend” is a mouthful of a name, but how does a sip of it fare?