Old Pepper Single Barrel Rye (Rochester Elite REBPFU)

The nose is full of ripe fruit and charred oak, balanced by vanilla, molasses, brown sugar and a floral rye spice that holds it all together. Very balanced with something different playing the dominant note with each swirl. Lovely to keep visiting and leaves you looking forward to sipping it. The palate is somewhat dry but chewy as ripe fruit, charred oak and a bit of brine work their way into the corners of the mouth. Vanilla and sharp molasses sweetness follows while being balanced by a burst of mild baking spices. It rounds out with floral rye spiciness swirling around the mouth which gives the mouth a very pleasant hotness. The finish is long and spicy with cinnamon and rye keeping the mouth tingling while charred oak cooked brown sugar fade in the background. For it’s age this is an absolutely wonderful rye at 4 years 9 months. Strong spiciness backed up by perfect amounts of oak and sweetness. This is definitely one you want to savor, but would be forgiven if all of a sudden the bottle was empty.