Lock Stock & Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 18 Year

Amazing. Haven’t shared this with someone that didn’t love it.

So complex, I get vanilla pudding, brown sugar, hints of oak, banana taffy, and molasses. Very oil mouth feel, get hints of cherry on the finish. Wonderful whiskey, even at the high price point.

Musty cedar wood, caramel & menthol up front which make way to a licorice and melon mid-palate. Ends mellow yet runs hot in the chest with a rich and long finish of leather, pepper spice, plantains & bitter walnuts. Very unusual rye but excellent for that reason. Would be an everyday sipper if not for the price tag.

Orange, banana, vanilla, butterscotch, all covered in a soft oaky blanket. Much more citrusy than herbal. Creamy custard. About halfway through the sample this really started to click for me. I thought I might try to compare against one of my more well-liked but considerably younger ryes in the cabinet. Willett 4 year, which I really enjoy, tasted quite sour in comparison. Oaky-vanilla-citrus custard. Really enjoyable pour, and once again thanks to @pkingmartin for the sample.

Nose - butterscotch, vanilla, anise, dark chocolate, peppermint, cherry, plum, clove, leather, allspice, orange, tobacco, marshmallow, toasted coconut, herbal notes, dry oak, walnut, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - clove, orange oil, allspice, dark chocolate, butterscotch, anise, leather, baked apple, rich oak, black cherry, vanilla, bitter walnut, lemon, peppermint, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium long with dark fruit, chocolate, toasted oak, and rye spice flavors. 100% Canadian rye? Check. 18 years old? Check check. 100+ proof? Check check check. With those stats, I know it’s a winner before even pouring a glass. But alas, a glass must be poured, so here we are. The nose is amazing, dare I say sublime? Butterscotch, dark chocolate, and orange aromas appear, underpinned by a woodsy, herbal quality. It’s like smelling a moss-covered Werther’s hard candy that you picked up on a forest walk. The palate is punchy, but not overly hot or youthful. Dark fruits, more butterscotch, rich oak, and nuts overwhelm the taste buds. The finish lingers beautifully without veering into any unpleasant territory. This is outstanding whisky and easily the best rye I’ve tried. It completely destroyed the latest Boss Hog in a side-by-side, which honestly isn’t saying too much, but it’s worth mentioning as they have a similar provenance. The only point I can possibly subtract is for the slight palate brightness. It’s not youthful, but just a tad more ethanol-forward than perfection would allow. So this isn’t flawless, but it’s very, very close. A huge shout-out to @pkingmartin for introducing me to this and providing the generous sample!