Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond

Nose: A waft of fennel and wintergreen heralds a candy sweet nose backed by pineapple, strawberry and citrus. There's some toffee hiding in there as well, along with something rather like camphorwood but it's the brisk gristy cereal quality that is most appealing. Palate: Initially, fleetingly, dry - then rapidly turning sweet. The arrival melts into minty anise and cinnamon around the tongue. In the early development there are earthy vanilla notes and then suddenly it all expands into buttery milk chocolate malt, oranges and demerara sugar. Finish: A lovely finish that is both short and long. The major components of the palate fade quickly but strawberry jam, liquorice, caramel, mint and squill candy linger in the mouth, urging you to have another dram. This is marvellous stuff - I'm quite taken by it. There is a clarity of presentation that is fresh and exhilarating. It's robust but also smooth and very refreshing (I can't wait to try it in a Manhattan). The texture is perfect - a rich mouthfeel but neither oily nor sweet - just full and velvety (I guess that's the corn component of the mashbill) - I would never guess for a moment that this is 50% abv. Quite drinkable neat, but just a drop or two of water opens it up wonderfully and is recommended. The only thing that prevents me giving this a higher rating is a lack of complexity - a couple more layers in the nose and palate would make it excellent instead of merely very good. "Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)

Gentle nose. Rye burn. Sour finish. Hoppy. Interesting.