Tastes

First “Kentucky chew” sip was fire, but my palette quickly adapted and this became a very pleasurable, easy sipping rye. Yes, the spice was there, but for a barrel proof rye, the sweet honey, vanilla notes come through. Finish is similar and fades nicely. Excellent complement to the Rare Breed Bourbon.

Enters the mouth with a bang! Fiery up front followed by a bit of sweet vanilla and then a long finish reminiscent of the effects of chewing a handful of RedHots all at once. As ice melted I got a bit more anise and clove with a bit of caramel.

Initially sweet and smooth with some vanilla tones, but quickly moves to a peppery spice middle. Finish is a bit medicinal with a hint of cherry (like I just swallowed flavored unsweetened cough syrup. Had high hopes for this given Greg Metze’s work at MGP, but have to say it’s a bit entry level for the price. Decent at $20-25, but not enough depth and complexity at $50.

I had a bottle from batch two, so 132 proof. Straight alcohol on the first sip. Added some water and got some more balanced vanilla and caramel. As ice melted it quickly got watery. Will have to try just letting ice rock melt slowly to see if I can get more that a few good sips out of a pour. A lot of people (including my wife) seem to love it. I think it’s a rather expensive way to get buzzed.

Also the DEP’s pick, barrel #2. Surprisingly flavorful for the proof. Good sweet beginning moving to a nutty, oaky middle and a peppery finish. Good balance.

Definitely a rye. Spice punch out of the gate and then a brief hint of leather and butterscotch before the spice returns for a peppery finish. Aged 3 years, but comes across as a bit younger. Not a lot of depth on the nose, in the coloring or on the palette. Decent, but not great. A good start for Castle & Key, but expect better going forward. (I do like the bottle.)

Very easy to drink. Good balance of caramel, apple and spice. Priced as an entry level for now, but I’m guessing the price goes up as more people discover it. Solid everyday sipper.

Really impressed with this high octane, easy drinking rye. Good spice with a bit of smoke underneath. Sweeter notes of caramel and vanilla creep in before a nice finish. Well done.

Does not drink like a Rye, so if you’re hoping for a typical high spice kick you won’t get it here. That’s not to say it’s unpleasant. Sweet and fruity is the best description I can give. At only 80 proof, it’s an easy sipper. Almost like a desert wine. Won’t be an everyday whiskey for me, but on a day I just want something that goes down easy, this would fit the bill.

Really smooth and yet has a rich, balanced profile. Really pleasant vanilla and caramel with a peppery spice underneath.