Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye

Lots of winter green and snickerdoodle. Long finish. Pretty solid rye, but I think I prefer Pikesville Rye and Wilderness Trace rye.

Nose is nice and strong with cinnamon, honey, ginger, fennel, caraway seeded rye toast, a bit of briny sea salt, orange slice candy, and what I can only describe as “funk”, but it’s a good funk. This smells awesome, although I must be honest as well and say that if your nose gets to the rim of the glass, expect some fiery ethanol. Know your distance. On the palate we find graham cracker, caramel chew, fruit loops cereal, oak, hazelnut, clove, and barrel char. Flavors have both richness and depth. Finish is snickerdoodle cookie, sticky cinnamon bun, pink peppercorn (closer to chili pepper than black pepper), anise, nutmeg, ginger, and mint. It’s spicy, aggressive, and lasts forever. Mouthfeel is full bodied and unctuous. This is an extremely well balanced rye, with all elements in harmony and presenting in equal strengths. To me this hits the middle ground between a more herbal rye like Rossville Union Barrel Proof, and a sweeter rye such as Pikesville. Needless to say, I dig it. At $57 and 112 proof, it’s a no brainer rebuy.

Nice rye taste and very smooth for 112 proof. The single barrel Russel Reserve Rye is a little richer.

The rye is glorious and good. Good and glorious. Need to buy more of this.