Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye

Lovely and sweet, very faint bitterness at the back which is pleasant. Peppery, fruit spice. Quite drinkable. Aniseedy faint

Single barrel #23A0001. Kentucky straight rye whiskey with 4 years in oak, bottled at 42.4% ABV. Tasted neat. Nice red copper color in the glass, with light coating legs. Nose is sweet corn, maple, vanilla, peaches. Light and soft, with a little grassy spice hidden in there. In the mouth, soft and white sugar sweet, a little vanilla and oak, but... WOW, the overpowering initial taste is wrapped up in the oily coating mouthfeel (surprised me given the light legs). A little spice appears in that floral fruit sweetness, but mainly holds off to the finish. Finish shows dry oak, tannic leather, and light grassy rye spice. It's not an overpowering rye, but the flavor is there. Just a little sour to help balance the sweet. And then it goes DRY, covering the other notes, and the finish is fairly quick (again, considering the oily mouthfeel). But it's pleasant, leaving no off flavors, and begging for another sip. Forget water or ice--this comes set at the right proof. While this doesn't WOW me, it's a really fine sipping rye. Can definitely tell this is an 85 proof rye, high on the corn content (don't know the mashbill percentages, but low 50s rye is my guess). Would love to see what this is like at 90 or 100 proof, but... What we have here is an easy entry point into rye and whiskey, very approachable, and yet not bottom shelf in taste or price. As usual, im going to keep thinking about this bottle, and will get back to you over time.

Nose: Spiced apple. Loads of toffee. A touch of wood varnish. Palate: Nice creamy mouthfeel. Chocolate covered dried fruit character. The spice starts to develop. Finish: Dry with a black pepper spice. An aftertaste of Christmas cake with hints of malt chocolate milkshake.