Tastes

This one is really fun to get to know. At first sniff you get the slightest hint of the classic JD banana note, but then this gives way to more vanilla, honey, herbal notes, and some oak spice. Subsequent sniffs also bring some neat fruit and cream smells. The first taste immediately reminds you there is rye in this blend with some upfront spice, which then gives way to cream and honey with the banana showing up again faintly towards the back. The finish is quicker than I suspected, but this is where the maltiness also shows most prominently. Overall, totally unique and enjoyable.

So this one started off slow, nose was not that impressive, lots of spice and leather at first but after awhile it opened up and some of the dark and tart fruits showed up. Same on the palate. The finish does linger for quite a long time and is wonderfully spicy.

Having a hard time getting a clear read on this one, perhaps due to the watered down proof. The nose vassilates between chocolate and herbal (mostly dill) notes. There is a dollop of honey. Not unpleasant, but definitely odd. The herbal notes continue on the palate and almost border on some pickled notes, along with the classic rye licorice note and some spice. Predictably the finish is short and unremarkable. Overall, disappointing for such a nice aged stated pour that could of been so much more.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one, never quite sure what you are going to get with these craft distilleries. This one opens up with lots of dark fruits, some vanilla, and brown sugar. A very pleasant nose. On the palate you get some of that young corn note that is so common with less mature craft bottles. Towards the back of the palate some of the vanilla returns, along with some spice that makes for a decent, if unspectacular, finish. Overall, not at all disappointing for what this is.

Immediately on the nose their are some delicious notes of cherries, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is disappointingly muted compared to the nose. Notes of vanilla and some oak spice come through, but disappear quickly. The taste of the finish also fades quickly, but there is an interestingly long Kentucky hug in your chest that lingers afterwards. Overall, a nice easy sipper, but not something I would rush to buy again.

The beginning is a big blast of vanilla and brown sugar along with some butterscotch and creamed corn. This takes a somewhat downward turn on the palate, it tastes a bit funky almost like it is too young, but this single barrel is a 9yr. The oak spice dominates once you get past the musty funk followed by some dried fruits and some peppercorn. The spiciness of the peppercorn lingers for a pleasantly long finish, which somewhat makes up for the lackluster palate. Overall, serviceable but disappointing. Indian Trail ABC store pick Aged 9 years Barrel #6075695 Rickhouse JJ, Floor 1

This is by far one of the most interesting noses I've encountered. I'm getting g a mix of honey, black pepper spice, and molasses up front, then deeper down there hints of the more classical floral rye notes along with some spearmint. On the palate I am getting some nuttiness along with dried fruits and then the spice again shows up towards the back. The mouthfeel has a nice coating but is more on the thin side vs full bodied. The spice lingers at the very tip of you tongue for a medium to long finish, not once ever disclosing the actual ABV of this pour. Overall, very unique and very satisfying, but possibly will not be to everyone's liking if they are not already acquainted with Rye whiskies.

Kind of muted and laid back flavor wise, you get some vanilla and a bit of oak, but not much else. Nothing bad, but nothing impressive either. Overall, meh.

The nose is quite weak, if you try you can get some buttered popcorn, vanilla and a hint of cherry. The palate is a bit more promising, the corn and cherry flavors are more prominent and there is also some oak spice that makes an appearance. Vanilla and butterscotch carry on through the surprisingly warm finish that lasts longer than I expected. Overall, certainly better than the white label, but not something to go out of your way to look for.