It’s December 29, 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. Goals (abridged): 5 ryes. 4.5 stars. Readily available. (6/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10, Whistlepig 12, Old Riff, VOSN Summer Rye, Willett 4yr) I want to recognize the difference between any bourbon and any rye. First try. One of these must be an Empire Rye. (1/1, Hudson) I want a rye that’s the worst thing that my eldest kid can think of. I want the one that tastes like being tortured for all eternity. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<< Nose is caramel, orange, sugar, honey. Sweet tarts. Smarties. It’s astringent, but I love it. Body has floral and fruity notes. Perfume hits first, followed by brine, salt, orange, and cherry. Flowers and perfume are the main notes for me. Finish is pepper and orange. That orange note in the finish is my favorite part of this drink. Phenomenal. A little ice makes a big difference here. It really shifts the drink toward orange and sugar and away from the floral. I think it’s better neat, but far more approachable and easy on the rocks. I can see other fruit notes this way too, like apple and lemon. This is another rye whiskey I can’t find fault with. It’s outstanding.