Crater Lake Rye Reserve

Rested neat in a glencairn at least 15 minutes. 96 proof/48% abv, aged 3 years in new American oak, Oregon grain to glass. Nose: sweet like cherries in syrup, rye grains, carmel toffee white pepper Palate: sweetness continues. Theres a slight lemongrass, grassy/hay note at first that gives way to a delicate cereal/grain note. The grains build into a toffee, rye spice profile with a peppery spicy backbone. Mid to late palate show carmel, tobacco, and a faint cherry cola. Chewing will bring out more tobacco and a leather/cherry note. Finish: sweetness is fading and cereal amd tye grains are moving forward. The peppery rye spice is there as well as some lingering baking spice. Leather and carmel are hiding in the finish amd can be brought out by breath. Finish doesnt last long, i suspect from the low proof but an oily, coating mouthfeel sticks around. Rating: 8/10 Thoughts: I really wish I hadnt "lost" this bottle for so long. A good friend and bourbon drinker has (in good fun) labeled me a proof ***** and while I do like to stay north of 50%, this bottle has me smitten. Its exactly what a spicy rye should be. Its delicate in some ways but intense in others. I find myself thinking about what im actually drinking and tasting. For lack of better words, its an engaging pour, it demands attention. If you ever find yourself in the PNW and get the chance i highly recommend giving this a chance.

Anise scent and beginning, pleasant rye middle and end.

Watery and bland. Not a lot of rye in my opinion. Definitely drinkable but not great.

Solid local whisky. Very nice!

Notes of spearmint and lemon peel are what’s most apparent to me on the nose. I found those aromas light and subdued rather than filling-the-room bold, but nevertheless nice. The lemon peel scent was appealing. On the palate, the whiskey layers an immediate rush of white pepper, charred vegetables, and more mint on top of traces of roasted peanuts. There are notes of agave syrup that register very subtly at first and then become more dominant on the mid-palate and the finish. Pepper is reintroduced on the finish, but this time it’s in the form of coarsely ground black pepper flavors, which I found deeper and more earthy than what’s at the front of the palate. It's a decent-to-good dram and very good value for the listed price.

Loved this beauty! Need to find more!!!