Tastes

Bottle $40; Batch Number 20H03R; Age statement greater than 3.5 years; Bottle opened 24 hours earlier and 2/3 full; Tasted neat in Glencairn and rested 10 mins. Shows some sweet vanilla caramel with cola (like vanilla cherry coke with hints of nuts if you dig in deep) on the nose with only a slight amount of heat (not overwhelming and somewhat tame for 99 proof). The mouthfeel is a bit oily providing a light viscous coating. The palate follows the nose as it opens with sweet vanilla, then notes of cherry cola mix in, with a touch of sweet orange zest. Rye spice and a little bit of noticeable heat make their showing before it all continues on into the finish. The medium length finish stays sweet with the spice flowing through, and then progressively a malty note introduces itself into the mix. As the sweeter notes start to fade and the spice gives way, the malty notes come more and more to the fore with just a hint of cocoa bitterness lurking, and that is what in time lingers to close things out. Overall, this rye marches to it's own beat. Notes of mint, menthol, or clove that often comes across from other ryes are not really apparent (or if only faintly) here, but instead this leans more to the sweeter side with unique malty characteristics not normally seen. Very interesting, and give it a thumbs up for the experience and value it delivers. Would recommend to try if you want something that is off the beaten path.

$60; 115 Proof single barrel store pick; Approximately 5 year old juice - Barreled 09/03/15; Freshly opened bottle with rating based on second pour. Tasted neat in Glencairn; Rested 15+ mins. Like an earlier reviewer stated, not a whole lot coming from the nose and for the proof just the most subtle bit of ethanol. Digging deep there's perhaps the slightest tinge of fresh oak and vanilla nut or vanilla wafers hiding in there. Upon tasting, the palate comes on with an initial wave of vanilla sweetness along with a lovely creamy coating mouthfeel. And then it quickly evolves into a nutter butter profile with a little banana pudding mixing in. Some nice spicey notes then start to show as well as its proof begins to appear with just the right amount of tinglining heat -- but based on how it drinks you'd think it was a lower proof than its 115. And as it slowly fades, cocoa accents that are slightly bitter (in a good way) mixes in with the sweet notes as a balanced bittersweetness lingers on the medium length finish. Overall a solid and very enjoyable pour that was teetering between a 4 - 4.25 rating IMO. Really like it and will likely purchase another bottle, however think it would merit the higher rating if more nuances showed in the nose.

$50 bottle SAOS Citi Wine & Spirits store pick 5 year, 114.28 proof; Open about one month and 1/2 full bottle. Tasted neat in Glencairn and rested 10 minutes. The nose shows a little ethanol heat but beyond there is sweet vanilla, butterscotch, and touches of faint damp oak. The palate starts with vanilla and sweet caramel, and a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Then it moves on to honey graham cracker notes, hints of cherries, and refreshing spearmint as a wave of spicy heat washes over. The spice lingers on the medium to long finish with a kiss of the same vanilla, brown sugar, butterscotch sweetness. And after the spicey heat and sweetness fades, the slightest bit of dark chocolate and oak hangs on. A tasty dram indeed.

$38 bottle; Bottle opened for a month and 2/3 full. Tasted neat in Glencairn; rested 10 minutes. On the nose there's a tad of ethanol but not much given the proof, and underneath a slight vanilla sugar spice shows with a faint hint of malt. On the palate, the mouthfeel is neither creamy nor too oily; there's an initial wave of nice sweet vanilla, some light brown sugar and perhaps caramel, but then a spicy malt flavor appears that mixes in nicely and lingers. Oak and char characteristics are not really apparent. And as the medium+ length spicey finish slowly fades away, a malty cocoa (not bitter, but instead like malted cocoa covered cherries) flavor remains. I find the pour interesting, and different in a very good way that grabs my attention and keeps me coming back for more. The different nuances in this juice is impressive given its reported 2 year age on the back label. Definitely one to follow as their stock ages, and believe they are on to something with how they use these malted grains in their mash bill. Feel this firmly deserves a 4.0 rating, however decided to bump it up to 4.25 because of the value it delivers at under $40 a bottle.

Review is for a $50 bottle of SAOS SiB Rye 4 Year age statement and 114.8 Proof. Neck pour, tasted neat in Glencairn, and rested 10 minutes. Nose has a dose of ethanol heat but not over bearing for the proof. Getting past the heat a bright scent of sweet vanilla with hints of orange zest emerge that is underpinned by wafts of wet oak. On the palate an initial burst of sweet vanilla with a somewhat creamy mouthfeel, that shifts into tingling spicy heat and then further evolves to show mint and clove menthol like notes. Finally as the medium to long spicy finish begins to give way, slight heat and spice lingers, with a faint touch of dark cocoa powdered oak showing ever so slightly as it all fades away. Delicious MGP sourced rye.

$40; Neck Pour; Tasted neat in a Glencairn; Rested 10 minutes. Pleasant scents of sweet vanilla, touches of green apples, hints of orange peel and an overall note that is somewhat floral at the fore, while fresh wet oak lurks underneath in the background; shows faint to no ethanol on the nose. On the palate it opens with an initial burst of sweetness -- vanilla intermingled with traces of orange and thin honey that appear after a slightly oily (not viscous) mouthfeel coating. The opening sweetness dissipates quickly as the short to medium (non-burning) finish transitions into more of a (pleasant) fresh vanilla oak aftertaste while it fades. Merits 3.75 to 4.0 stars if you can pick up the bottle at $40 or less; and agree with a previous reviewer that at prices of $50+ it would perhaps knock the rating towards the lower side of the range as other offerings may ratchet up the experience and provide better value. Still, I believe many would find this offering to be an easy, pleasing pour, and appreciate its refined finesse and elegant quality. While others who prefer bolder styled bourbons may find they would want a more pronounced profile with a heavier punch in the finish -- I for one enjoy the dram, however do wish the flavors held on and lingered just a little longer.