High West Rendezvous Rye Ed Mell Edition (2021 Release)

Whiskey night sample. Wasn't expecting much based on recent reviews, so may just be a case of lowered expectations, but I thought it was pretty good. Nothing in particular stood out from a small taste - fairly standard rye profile. Better than WT 101 Rye, but not worth 2+ bottles of the WT.

Rendezvous Rye, Limited Ed Mell label edition. Rendezvous Rye has been an award-winning blend of MGP straight rye whiskeys, but HW has now reimagined this as a limited supply release to include more of the distillery’s own limited pot still rye. Sweet grain, nuts, and light ethanol on the nose. Licorice, grassy, and lightly astringent in the mouth, with honey sweetness turning dry and hot. Spicy rye shows up in the finish along with more ethanol and a dry sour finish. Add ice and the whole drink blands-out, turns flat and non-descript. Disappointing. It's so much less than the older Rendezvous Rye of MGP sourced and blended aged ryes I've been enjoying for a decade or more. Living in UT I know this juice well. Is the problem the HW dIstilate? Or is it the blend of younger and younger MGP ryes?  At its premium price point, the quality of this "limited supply" just comes up short. HW labeling has become opaque since being bought by Constellation. No longer describes what whiskies were blended, mashbills, age statements, or even the sourcing states. Doesn't indicate how much of their own aged distillate is used, just "bottled in Utah." Price keeps climbing too, but quality, transparency, and consistency seems to have gone out the window. I'm disappointed in the direction they're moving--feel like they're hiding what they're doing (which is blending sourced whiskies), and doing that blending very well for years past with sourced aged Indiana and Kentucky whiskies. The label should reflect what this whiskey is, especially what their own juice is, and not hide behind vague descriptions and romantic allusions to 1820s fur trapping rendezvous, which weren't romantic. It's silly at best. The best part about this is the Ed Mell label. He's an amazing artist, Google him. As for the liquid itself, there are far better ryes at a quarter of the price. That's sad commentary on what had been a premium product.

Absolutely a fantastic pour. Warm fruity notes on the nose with a spicy savory pallet. Excellent Rye!

The new allocated rendezvous rye has a higher percentage of high wests own distillate this time around. Nose of honey, notes of cherries in syrup and some baking spice.