Ezra Brooks 90 Proof Straight Rye

sample/nothing groundbreaking though pleasant enough

A very pleasent inexpensive rye. Medium-full body with flavors of vanilla, a subtle fruity sweetness, and slightly hot spicy finish. Not too complex, but perfectly serviceable both neat or mixed.

Pretty solid for the price paid ($18) but it's a bit hot and messy. The initial nose is fantastic, but after sitting and opening up for a bit, those wonderful rye notes (mint, anise, dill) start to fade and give way to the young and unrefined nature of this whiskey, resulting in a strong alcoholic presence that overwhelms the palate. The mouthfeel is also fairly thin. Would love to try this one side by side with Dickel Rye for comparative purposes. Unlike its Bourbon counterparts (Ezra 90 proof and 7 year 101), this one doesn't really punch above its price point. For a sub-$20 bottle of MGP-sourced Rye though, it won't leave you disappointed.

Delicious