It’s December 10, and I’m going to try a new rye whiskey every day this month. And while my rye game is not as weak as my Scotch game was this time last year, I’m always up for suggestions on good rye whiskies. And now that I have goals (it’s good to have goals), there are some key players I could use your help finding. Send me your most intense contender. Goals (abridged): 5 ryes. 4.5 stars. Readily available. (1/5, WT101) I want to recognize the difference between any bourbon and any rye. First try. One of these must be an Empire Rye. I want a raunchy rye. I want the one that tastes like season 24 just ended and you forgot to claim Haedrig's Gift. Woof. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<< First off, let me say that whoever came up with the piglet pack is a genius and my new best friend. I don’t care if they’re not in the market. These little piggies went home. With me. They are adorable. The nose is banana bread, mild cedar, salt, sticky rice, potpourri. Body hits with one of the juiciest mouthfeels I can remember across all my drams so far. I get gummy bears, grapes, raisin, strawberry jam. This tastes like a refined version of Jefferson’s Reserve, and I’m a big fan. Finish is cinnamon, grape, almond, brine. I love this whiskey. It’s so juicy, it’s almost hard for me to believe that it’s not barrel finished. While Jefferson’s products often come across as sickeningly sweet, I think the rye balances those sweet notes nicely. It reminds me a lot of the Jefferson’s rum finish. If you were going for those types of notes, this is just a better way to do it. I think I’ve found my second shelf member. Edit: I have been drinking Piggyback for years. I love this. I JUST NOW learned they source from Canada. I… I’m going to go find some crow to eat.