ghill40509
Wilderness Trail Settlers Select Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye
Rye — Kentucky , USA
Reviewed
January 25, 2021 (edited March 19, 2022)
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.
65.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington I got the 7 year at the distillery for $90. Their 5yr single barrel rye is one of the best I've had.
@ghill40509 this I’ve gotta see! Their wheated 6yr took some time to open and is soft and tasty but not to the extent I would get another at its price point. Much closer to Weller than Makers but fascinating to see where the Boone Co lands (what I’ve seen is >$100).
@WhiskeyLonghorn We have the wheated version here as well and will be tasting it against Weller an a 7 year single barrel from Boone County. Should be fun
Nice, imagine what a pick from someone who knows bourbon would be like! :)
I just bought the wheated bourbon from these guys, and while I’m still working through the top of the bottle, my impression is already that it’s more rounded and flavorful than Weller Special Reserve or anything Makers. Haven’t put it against Larceny yet, but the fact remains that these guys know what they’re doing and are making great American whiskey!
Took the bottom half of the bottle to Florida for sharing. My son's father-in-law had the perfect description "Buttered pancakes with maple syrup, YUM!" I whole heartedly agree an have added a quarter point