New Southern Revival Rye Whiskey

Aroma is of cedar, honey and a touch of over ripe banana. Lots of grain as well. Flavor is spicy with Anise, clove, black pepper and more cedar. Almost a minty aftertaste. Finish is like a mint gum once most of the flavor has vanished.

A Friday evening (and what would have been John Lennon’s 80th) watching Yankees v Rays with the peripheral effects of the fading head cold lingering for two weeks. Well enough to pull a sample of this rye from Charleston, SC. I have been reading good things about NSR but, being in the Northeast, is difficult to find. I am a quiet appreciator of rye. Rye, I find, is less temperamental in nature and needs to properly mastered. A poorly distilled, blended can be a train wreck. But when you find that good rye, the multitude of aromas and flavors can be very rewarding. This has a slightly subdued nose, though still distinctly a rye. Dill, cloves, cinnamon red hots provide a nice spicy aroma. A floral note is faint (sweet elderberry, like St. Germaine), with golden honey, bubble gum and/or Twizzlers provide a subtle sweetness. A nice, full, balance of that spice and sweetness. First draw on the palate, the body is light but creamy dense. Gingerbread, walnut-pumpernickel toast, ground cinnamon, cloves provide a spicy potpourri. Bran, raisins, honey, golden-toasted marshmallows provide a sweet counter. A 1/2 teaspoon of water straightens the edginess and enhances the sweetness. But I feel is takes away the full character of the whiskey and prefer it neat. A medium long finish that’s surprisingly less spicy and more sweet and woody. There is a peppery quality with a slight prickly sensation that subsides and turns caramel, dark chocolate and oaken encased is spearmint. This is a decent rye that is busy, deep in aromas and rich in flavors. The 45% abv provides a good, strong backing. High Wire Distilling has done a great job producing a quality sipping rye. May make a good Manhattan, but I would be more inclined to sip this than mix it. Bump it to 48% and it probably could hold up better in a mixer. I will definitely have to seek out other NSR whiskies. Thanks @PBMichiganWolverine for providing me this sample. Really enjoyable. [87/100][Tasted: 10/9/20]

Nose: Very pretty floral aromas with fresh, lifted notes. Fruity and sprightly. A little trace of something herbal - elderflower? Chamomile? There's a little honeyed note too. Caramel sweets and Nuttall's Curiously Strong Mints (hah! I bet I'm the only one here to remember those!). What a nice nose. Adding a dash of water settles the sweetness and allows the cereal aromas to come forward. Palate: Sweet, spicy and robust on the arrival with a little heat. The development slows down and focuses on cereal flavours and honey. Cloves, cinnamon and something briny I can't quite identify. Interesting. Good texture. With water it all becomes very integrated and gentle - just a long flow of herbal and ultra mild spice. Finish: Long. Longer than expected, and in a good way. The palate slowly fades away leaving a pleasantly re-emerging aftertaste of minty rye. Water adds a drying note to the finish. Lovely fragrant nose. So sweet and delicate. What a nice dram. Good neat, good with water, I'd imagine it's good with any sort of mixer as well. Great artisan stuff - I could drink this all day. Thanks to @Soba45 and @PBMichiganWolverine for the tasting sample "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

A very nice and smooth rye with a wonderful aftertastes.