Tastes

Cocoa and vanilla take the forefront on the nose with a hint of strawberry and marmalade on the back end. Warm cinnamon coats the tongue with a long, lingering leather and tobacco finish. The last of the bottle. I'm going to miss this one.

Expert reviewer Amanda Schuster wasn't kidding when she called this a "unique-tasting whisky." This Rough Rider Rye leans a bit too heavily on the "rough," aspect of its name. The cinnamon-strong flavor with malt cask heaviness exists solely to hide the youth of this not-quite-ready for primetime whisky.

A vanilla crème with brown sugar immediately on the nose. A deeper inhalation from sniffer brings in a deep, dark cherry with a whisper of citrus. An oakiness on the pallette is interrupted by whatever perfume the waitress is wearing. Like a punch in my nose minus the enjoyment of blood that would be sure to follow. Once that mess leaves it's quite a nice sipper. Creamy, vanilla smooth. A bit of oaky astringency at the edges of the tongue. Medium finish. A "buy" but not over $200.

Honeyed melon gives way to circus peanut on the nose with the faintest hint of anise and clove, ending with artificial cinnamon. It sits quietly on the tongue before slowly opening to a subtle cinnamon and smoothing out with a creamy, burnt butter praline and dusty peanut shell. Nice medium finish.

Oak and caramel on the nose with a slight dusty quality. Brine on the tongue, allspice, and caramel. Nice long finish.

Pitted fruit on the nose, especially cherry. Slight oak and leather. A bit of astringency. On the tongue butterscotch and caramel with a bite of spice giving way to a dark chocolate and apricot. A hint of bubblegum. The 100 proof still stands up.

Butter, butterscotch and caramel immediately on the nose. Sweet wheat . Caramel and a nice sweet spice. Good medium finish.

Vanilla and butterscotch immediately strike the nose. Creamy mouthfeel with a slow spice and heat build up. Cinnamon and clove linger on the tongue.

A light bit of smoke on the nose with a touch of apple, peach, and mint. Not too spicy-a bit of clove, apple, and pitted fruit. A mellow finish. A nice beginner sipper.

Orange and empire apple on the nose. Vanilla and leather, a touch of bubblegum. A slow spice build up that peters out before it has a chance. Oak and smoke on second waft. A little flat on second taste. Minimal heat. Not a long finish.