John David Albert's Taos Lightning Single Barrel Straight Rye 5 Year

I agree with Dreaming-of-Islay’s comment about hipster catnip. And, just like hipster catnip, this is a bunch of nothing. This does not compare favorably to Sazerac and it’s twice the price. I’m a NM native and the marketing got me.

Rich flavor, spicy and sweet, smooth. Underrated for sure.

Great flavor, smooth, not too sweet

Honey and spice. Nice neat.

Tough stuff. Pretty bitey. Cinnamon flavor. Had at La Choza in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This rye seems like hipster catnip. It's a single barrel rye from a small distillery in New Mexico, under a revived brand from the early 19th century whose founder was killed during the Taos Revolt of 1847, and named after a distillery worker (Albert) who fought in a siege during that revolt. This rye is five years old, so similar in age to Sazerac. I also get a very similar profile to Sazerac in the nose and palate: scents of coffee along with a clear rye base; pears, pineapple, plenty of rye spice, and that cleaning solution impression; and a smooth finish that is mostly sweet and not as spicy, with a rich mouthful of bread and grain. It's $60 a bottle, so not cheap for a rye, but worth trying.