Tastes

The nose on this is sweet with artificial vanilla striking hard. Candied pineapple, brown sugar, and light spice finish the nose. The taste is very sweet with vanilla, brown sugar, and apricots, mango, and pineapple notes also present. A bit of oak and spice are also present and hit the back of the throat but there is no lingering spice. The finish is lasting but entirely made up of sugary notes. It is extremely crushable and due to the heavy influence of sweet fruit would also likely make a great cocktail rye. I will have to experiment a bit with some cocktails, but I do like it as it is, even though it is on the sweet side. Overall: Nose 3.75/5; Taste: 4.25/5 Overall 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Occasional Pour/Mixer Too sweet to add as a daily Drinker

The nose is rich in caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and rye spice. Black pepper, oak, and a touch of the alcohol also comes through. Call me crazy but I also get a hint of ripe pineapple and black cherry that creeps in. The sweetness of the brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel immediately make themselves known on the palate, with the rye spice sneaking in to say hello at the back of the throat. Also present is a pleasant semisweet chocolate note that lingers on the roof of the mouth. The finish is average but creates a salivation sensation wanting for the next sip. There is a complexity here that bats well above its price and proof range. I am a big fan of this offering and am immediately aware of why the claim of Gateway Bourbon is given to this bourbon. Overall impression: Nose 4.25/5; Palate: 4.25/5: Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

The nose has an abundance of sweet notes. Brown sugar, caramel, and light vanilla dominate. Raisins, black pepper, apricot, and black cherries are also present making the nose inviting and complex. Extremely pleasant nose. Upon tasting the sugar notes are immediately apparent with black currant and light pepper. Not as complex as the nose, but the PX Sherry cask finish does show up with call me crazy a slight coffee note. The finish is fairly fleeting, a artifact of the somewhat low proof. Overall impression: Nose 4.5/5; Taste 4.0/5 Total 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour/Special Occassion

This one is infused with Caribbean rum and blinding this you would very much think you had a rum in front of you. An immensely aromatic nose filled with vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, apricot, honey, and green apple. Tasting - the caramel, brown sugar, vanilla hit the tongue hard creating a mouth watering sensation wanting further sips. A bit of a peppery note hits the back of the throat, but does not linger. This is a pleasant pour with one large flaw - the finish!!!! The flavors dissipate all too quickly making this a forgettable offering. Too bad this was not 100 proof where the notes would have a chance to linger. I like many of the Forty Creek offerings but always am disappointed with a lasting finish. Overall: Nose 4/5 Taste 3.5/5 Finish 2/5 Overall 3.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

The nose isn't sharp with peppery and minty notes like other ryes, but rather subtle with deep inhales needed to pick out aromatic notes. I pick up vanilla, rye spice, black pepper, and a hint of mint. Further wafts bring out notes of winter melon and green apple. On the palate the rye spice and black pepper become immediately apparent coating the tongue and filling the back of the throat with vanilla and honey also prevalent. Very pleasant. White grapefruit, tart green apple and of course oak are also apparent. The flavors linger pleasantly for a short time but make the mouth salivate in anticipation of the next sip. Overall, for the price of $42.99 I can think of at least 10 Canadian ryes that would dominate this offering for a lot less. However, it is not at all bad, and worthy of keeping in the collection. Nose 3.25/5; Palate 3.25/5; Overall 3.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

I was hesitant to try this rye as I am Canadian and am spoiled with some of the best ryes in the world although Americans seem to have there own views on the matter. Regardless, I purchased this bottle based on the increase in proof that it recently received from 80 to 86 proof. The reviews at 80 proof were not great, but at 86 proof this bottle has received a lot more positive comments. Although I did not try this at 80 proof, I will comment on the 86 proof offering that I purchased. On the nose, caramel and burnt brown sugar are forward followed by a slight vanilla, green apple, and very mild notes of rye and black pepper. A very welcoming nose. On the palate, the brown sugar and caramel are present, with the rye spice clinging to the back of the throat. The finish does not linger long, nor does the spice build creating a very smooth sip making this a very dangerous crushable pour. Very smooth. I could, and will drink this neat, but I can also envision this being used to make a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Nose 3/5; Palate 3.5/5 Overall 3.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker/Mixer

Nose screams of vanilla, caramel, and pepper. Letting it sit a bit longer brings out subtle notes of burnt brown sugar, and a bit of mint. On the initial mouth swish the spice gently tickles the throat with the vanilla and caramel coating the palate. The finish is average with most of the flavors dissipating rather quickly, but the palate left with a dryness and the tongue salivates wanting a further sip. This one makes a very good Old Fashioned, and the spices also make this one a perfect choice for a Kentucky Mule as it goes really well with ginger ale, or ginger beer. Nose: 3/5 Taste: 3/5 Overall 3/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Sipper/Mixer

This one is extremely difficult to obtain here and when it comes is worthy of procurement. On the nose, the rye spice and black pepper are immediately present. Going deeper, black currant, black cherry, dark grape, burnt brown sugar and vanilla also show up. I also pick up a bit of a earthy or musty note that I can best describe as wet oak. On the palate, the finish lasts incredibly long. The rye spice makes its self known hitting the back of the throat, but not overpowering. Notes of mild semisweet dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and grape coat the roof of the mouth and just sit there to enjoy. Extremely complex, with new flavors emerging on each sip. Ridiculously long finish. Crazy good. Nose - 4/5 Taste - 4.5/5 Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Special Occasion

Wheaters.......my weakness. Is this one better than Weller's Special Reserve, or Makers? I don't know. Going to have to blind them to determine. But on its own, this one has some spiciness which is present immediately, but dissipates quick. Brown sugar, vanilla, black pepper, mint, and orange peel are the apparent notes. On the palate, the sweetness of the brown sugar comes across immediately coating the tongue with caramel, slightly burnt marshmallow and vanilla also noticeable. The spice hits the throat with black pepper and rye spice up front and center. This one definitely is better tasting than smelling. Overall Impression: Nose 3/5; Taste 3.75/5 Overall 3.5/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Daily Drinker

The nose is an intense mixture of brine and smoke. Sea salt, honey, lemon, white grapefruit, and peat fill the sinuses. The initial mouth swish is spicey and peaty. Immediate salivation occurs causing the mouth to water in anticipation of the next sip. The finish is lasting with the palate being overwhelmed with peaty smokey notes and brine. The throat is tickled with black pepper. Further sips bring out sea salt, honey, and apricot. This one is complex and worthy of a spot as a Special Occasion offering or a end of the week Friday night pour. Nose: 4/5: Taste 4.75/5 Overall: 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour