Tastes

Let sit in Glencairn for 10 minutes. Batch 21L3193. Taste is young. The traditional and expectant bourbon notes are there, but pretty thin, almost watery. Caramel, a hint of vanilla and maple. Really not getting much of anything from the oak barrel. It’s not terrible by any stretch, but I would argue there are better bottles at lower price points.

Nose has notes of caramel. Palate has vanilla, honey, a touch of citrus(?), and characteristic rye. Solid in it’s own right, but does not really stand out from the crowd, especially when considering the typical price point (I was able to purchase at a local grocer with a sale discount). ***Update May 2023*** This rye has been used on and off over the last several months and has changed while being open. I’m beginning to really enjoy this one. The flavor profiles have developed nicely. Still getting notes of vanilla and honey, but recently I have started detecting bublegum both in the nose and palate. It’s a little odd, but somehow it works. I’m going to amend the previous review and say that this one is beginning to stand out on it’s own, however in the pricepoint range my mind remains the same; if it were in the $30 range this would be an amazing steal and always on my shelf, $40 range still a really excellent rye and worth it, $50 is where I would begin to say “now wait a minute…” It’s good, but as good as other $50 ranger-s? $60 I will pass

Rested in Glencairn glass for at least 15 minutes. Nose picks up heavy brown sugar and maple syrup. Smells very sweet. Mouthfeel is thick, but not quite syrupy. The palate is where the magic happens — brown sugar, maple syrup, oak, rum, apple, spice, heat — they all swirl on the tastebuds, ebbing from one to the next for flavor prominence. The lingering burn is balanced with a sweetness that reminds me of a caramelized brown sugar crust on top of grilled peaches. Excellent

Rested in Glencairn for almost an hour. Initial nose was alcohol forward with a hint of sweet toast. Overly rested nose is faint, so I missed the prime ripening but oh well. Palate is surprisingly smooth up front for being a 110 proof, caramel, sweet maple notes, a little nutty. Then the heat and burn slowly rolls in and reminds you it’s almost 111 proof. A bit of heat when it’s on the tongue, but as soon as you swallow the spicy burn begins. Mild at first, then 8 seconds in you’re noticing it’s still growing. Warmth swells in the throat and back of the tongue. Spicy burn along the sides and rear top of tongue. 14 seconds and you think it’s beginning to fade, then oddly a second wave swells peaking around 22-25 seconds and feeling it in the sinuses. By 30 seconds you are still feeling it, but it is subsiding. For being a fan of high proof options, this had a unique profile and made me take notice. Probably wont be an overall favorite, but still a nice one to kick back with and engage the senses.