Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Rye

Great cinnamon rye kick at 115 proof

Smooth.

As with usual Knob Creek, the nose doesn't have a lot of scent. There's a hint of battle and rye though. The palate isn't super rich and complex, but the flavors that come out are very full with a lot of barrel and tart rye backed by a brown sure and light caramel sweetness. There's a bit of oiliness, but not too much. The balance is quite good and the mouthfeel is viscous. It isn't incredibly harsh, but the high ABV does come through. There's something slightly nutty here, but in more of a sweet way than is usual. The complexity isn't that substantial and the subtlety is very subtle, but the balance and general execution are quite good. It's clearly a sipper but would also be a superb mixer. In that way, it does remind me of Knob Creek Single Barrel bourbon. There's some nice granny Smith apple flavor too and some woodiness with spices from the barrel, though the particular spices are hard to pin down. It's somewhat like a less fruity, more stern Rittenhouse. There's less of that odd, oily caramel in this than there is in Rittenhouse, but there's also less vibrant apple. The blandness seems quite British. It's definitely drier than Rittenhouse. I'd say that the flavors are better executed too. At $43, it's probabaly worth upgrading to this from Rittenhouse. Still, for sipping, if rather get some Whistlepig Piggyback for $42. The quality level is quite similar among all three of them though. It really could use some more complexity. Adding water brings out the green apples and a bit of cinnamon, but the palate is largely the same. I'd put Whistlepig Piggyback and Pikesville ahead of this at this point in time, but I will need to taste this again and compare further.

Haymarket Whiskey Bar Private Selection barrel #6147 5th yr

Stunning rye value for the price. Complex combination of herbal flavors (dill, mint), baking spices (cinnamon, clove), and bourbon sweetness (caramel, vanilla). High proof but sippable, takes a splash of water or cube of ice well. Will buy again and again.