Tastes

Honey on the nose mixes with char and citrus as the dominant notes through the first few sips. These give way to a package of traditional, straight forward rye spices including pepper, cinnamon, mint, and heat. This package, however, is much softer and less intense than what you expect from a typical rye whiskey. Drinks with a creamy texture brushed with light oak and and hints of vanilla. The rye snaps on the finish, reminding you it’s there. At a price point around $25 it is an impressive and very worthwhile rye to keep close at hand, whether drinking neat or in cocktails.

Corn and sweetness evident on the nose. Cotton candy sugars on the front of the tongue mixed with a hint of vanilla. Smooth caramel melts into the mid palate after light char gives a grilled quality to several bright citrus notes. Salt and dry spice of honey roasted peanuts linger on a long finish. Interesting and different, this is not as dense as most other whiskeys. Stash this away for the right occasion or a night when you need a change of pace.

Alcohol forward on the nose with scents of butterscotch. First sips are sweet with similar notes and Werther’s candy-like richness. Drinks with a somewhat unrelenting amount of heat and spice, but balanced enough that it’s not overpowering considering the slightly higher 114 proof. High rye spices take over mid-palate, particularly clove wrapped around oak. Flavors are somewhat distinct only placed along the palate so each has their own note versus running together to create depth/complexity. Smooth and long on the finish with a pleasant burn.

Bottled in bond offering that greets with a nose of brown sugar and vanilla, bringing to mind a kitchen full of cookie baking. Mint and bright citrus, orange, lemon, and grapefruit, dance along the palate early and often. These flavors return with each sip to pop on the tongue before getting rounded off by the same sugary desserts from the nose, caramel and butterscotch among them. A touch of rye spice makes an appearance on the mid-palate, adding dimension and inter playing with the earlier lighter notes. Refined leather and light oak come on late, contributing to a long, textural finish. This bourbon is capable of being whatever you need it to be while drinking well above it’s weight at around $35.

The nose is not full of surprises, with apple, cinnamon and light oak. Use of applewood in the aging shows throughout with tart apple on the front of the pallet and warmer, baked apple on the middle and back of the pallet. A few sips brings out a touch of orange and more cinnamon. Noticeably younger with a softer finish than you might expect from a rye. Regardless of these late notes it remains heavily apple-forward throughout, limiting its complexity.

The nose is deep cherry with well-balanced oak and vanilla. Caramel, vanilla, and a hint of orange wrap around each other throughout the palate, giving the double oak finish a touch of rich desert texture. Honey notes are introduced late, adding to its warmth and evenly smooth progression, drinking long and comforting. Straight or in your favorite Manhattan recipe, this bourbon won’t disappoint.