Tastes

I've had mixed feelings about NR bourbon. Their rye on the other hand, is easily one of my favorites. This barrel proof for me is not one of their highlights. Orange, green apple candy, pepper, oak and grass notes on the nose. The aroma is nice. The palate is just too heavy handed with oak in a harsh way. It's quite spicy as well which I usually enjoy. By adding water some red apple came to the surface, but not much else. Afterwards there wasnt a very pleasing finish. I'll give it another chance at some point.

A fine rye that is a bit unique. Has some floral notes that aren't overpowering. Also a pronounced lemon note with a bit of banana wrapped around spice and some pepper.

This one is growing on me quickly. At first, I wasnt all that impressed, but thats changing. Has notes of orange, cherry, oak, dark malts and nice spice flavor throughout.

This must be in my top 3 ryes. Delicious apple notes, both sweet and tart. Notes of vanilla hide in the back with rye spice and pepper. Ends on a slight malt and tobacco like note.

Quite nice and not as intense as I expected. Apple, brown sugar, tobacco, nice oak notes and even noticed a bit of pineapple on the nose. (Call me crazy.) There's some spearmint and pepper spice as well. It goes down smooth.

Higher proof but so, so smooth. Vanilla, toffee, rounds off into some apple and oak. Spice is sprinkled throughout.

Well balanced with caramel and mint.

It really isn't that bad, and for the price, it's a great deal. There's pine like sweetness then coming into some oak and leather which takes over. All the while a bit of an apple note resides in the back and it slowly dissipates. It's thin, leaves little to nothing on the back end. Better than you'd expect for the price. That being said it's just a little below average pour.

Nicely balanced with fruit and vanilla notes. Apple, cherry with butterscotch and caramel. Light oak on the finish.

Notes of cherry turning into strong apple. Cinnamon and spice. Sadly, it turns into mint which then takes over everything which lingers and overstays its welcome. Not quite balanced enough, though I had high hopes.