High West Rendezvous Rye

Very spicy compared to other ryes I had.

I assume most on here are familiar with Rendevous Rye, but for those that are not, it is High West’s higher end, older rye (they also make a less expensive Double Rye, amongst other things). It’s sourced juice from MGP and Barton, but High West is very open about this and is a leader in transparency about its production process. Age: A blend of older straight rye whiskeys ranging in age from 5 to 19 years. Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP; 53% rye, 37% corn, 10% from Barton Distillery; and 80% rye, 10% corn, 10% barley malt from Barton Distillery. Abv: 46% Price: $53.99 at Total Wine in Houston, Texas Setting: Neat in a Glencairn, with a fat basset hound dozing next to me. Nose: Big aromas of dill pickles and rye, with some secondary notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar if you search for them. (21/25 points) Taste: Very consistent with the nose. Dill pickles and rye. (44/50 points) Finish: A medium length finish of rye spice and oak with a pleasant alcohol burn. I also get a flavor I’ll call mint, although that may not be the best descriptor. (21/25) points) Conclusion: If one enjoys pickles (as I do), then this is a highly enjoyable whiskey. If one doesn’t, then this probably tastes pretty vile. As such, I’d only recommend this to people who fit into the former category. Regardless, this is a well-made whiskey. All three components are solid, and it is just enjoyable to drink. It is fairly expensive for an American whiskey, so I won’t be in a hurry to replace my existing bottle when I finish it, but I am glad I purchased this bottle. 86/100