Lock Stock & Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 16 Year

It's hard to disengage from the extraordinary nose on this rye, which has layers of perfume, banana, orgeat and other tiki flavors topped with a dash of pepper. When you eventually remember that the contents of your glass are there to drink you get a funky mix of Szechuan peppers and guava, served on a rain-soaked deck as the sun dries the wood. Searingly spicy, it finishes long and dry. Water tames the heat and brightens the tropical notes. Curiously compelling and somewhat eccentric, it's quite unlike other ryes of its age. (PS: I'm offering samples on Bottle-Spot if you're interested in trying it.)

On the nose I get a ton of fresh cut oak, the tongue is full of rye spice and sweetness, but it's a bit richer than I was expecting. All in all very similar to the 13 year, I expected the extra 3 years to mute it a bit but found it to be pretty bright and sharp!