It’s December 12, 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. (2/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10) 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 my kids teacher’s passive aggressive group email about how “some parents” are still not sending their kids with winter coats when it’s 53 degrees outside. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<< Here’s piglet #2. Still amazing. I will likely refill these just for fun. Guys, they even have fully functional miniature corks. Best mini bottle I’ve seen since Blanton’s 50 mLs. Much like how I did not realize these were Canadian, I did not realize this whiskey was barrel finished. Here’s the breakdown: 63% Madeira 30% Sauternes 07% Port I haven’t had very many Madeira finishes, but I tend to not care for Sauternes. Port I like, but at 7%, I don’t expect to find too much influence here. Nose has oak, sour lemon, perfume. Powdered sugar. Apple. This is a great nose, albeit a bit astringent. That astringency is a result of the finishing process, not the base juice. Body is roses, sugar. Vanilla. Pit fruits. Cherry. Grape. Sangria. The lemon carries though. This is delicious. Finish is almonds, mild baking spices. Mild brine, but still sweet. Peanut brittle if I really hunt. Weakest part of the dram, but still good. I think Whistlepig are my people. This is excellent juice with an excellent finish. This will be a new permanent shelf member, and I feel even more strongly about that than I do the 10 year.