Wilderness Trail Settlers Select Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye

Barrel 17D07-1, 104 proof Fred Minnick Pick 3 years 7 month in #4 char barrel. Picked this up at the distillery a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed the tour. The primary owners have been players in the bourbon world as trouble shooters for the major players. They have capitalized and now have their own brand boasting beautiful well groomed grounds scattered with black rick houses. They are very transparent in operation and labeling. Their mash bills are pretty straight forward but they fill the barrel at 100 proof and let the Kentucky climate do it's magic. They may be on to something with the 100 proof barrel entry. We tried 5 products ranging from 3.5 to 6 years of age and not one had even a hint of bitter young alcohol on the edge of the tongue. They also use a sweet mash as opposed to sour and claim it allows for a cleaner facility and better control of the juice. The place was pristine. They even have a distillery cat that followed us throughout the tour. So, is all of this window dressing or do the goods measure up? Of the five quick tastes, I selected the Fred pick as it was decidedly better than their other single barrel rye offering. The nose is at a very enjoyable level and quite complex. I get predominantly green apple and lemon pepper but there is some dill in the background. That all works, I like it. The palate is much more difficult to discern. Rye pepper is at the front and it's creamy in texture. Doesn't seem that hot but there is a quick tongue numbness and some flavors fade, was that a flash of burnt marshmallows? As the finish develops that lemon pepper dill re-appears and lasts. Put it on ice and the flavors evolve. This is a classic rye I like this one but it carries a $65 price tag. Would I buy again? Probably but it will be a different experience and likely better as more aged product becomes available. Wilderness Road is another up and coming player in Kentucky that is doing things right, I will follow them closely and look forward to the next couple years as more mature product hits the market and of course I got some of their bourbon for future reviews.

Nose is very sweet (vanilla, toffee, cherries) rye comes through only really in finish. Tried a store pick bottle, but this might be one of my favorites ever

110 proof

This definitely delivers the pepper in Rye. Some nice burnt marshmallow notes in there too, lovely chest warmth and tongue numbness from the back strength. Lovely

This was a great rye for the age! I am normally not big on ryes. I definitely cannot wait until they have had more time to age some barrels to see what WT brings to the table!