Rye whiskey has always intrigued me. The spicy, earthy qualities I find more interesting and satisfying. Having the JD Straight Rye which was relatively good (and I believe discontinued) and reasonably priced, the next progression was the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. The SBBP Bourbon is excellent so naturally thinking, I have similar expectations. This release is bottled at a beefy 65.55% abv. Barrel #: 24-02519 Barrel House: 1-09 Bottling Date: 3-11-24 N: A greeting on the nose sweet, spicy and earthy. Light brown sugar, vanilla on the sweeter side. Pumpernickel, cinnamon on the spicy side. Leather and petrichor ground the sweet and spice. Deep in the recesses is the JD banana profile. P: After Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Proof Rye (2024 Release) Rye whiskey has always intrigued me. The spicy, earthy qualities I find more interesting and satisfying. Having the JD Straight Rye which was relatively good (and I believe discontinued) and reasonably priced, the next progression was the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. The SBBP Bourbon is excellent so naturally thinking, I have similar expectations. This release is bottled at a beefy 65.55% abv. N: A greeting on the nose sweet, spicy and earthy. Light brown sugar, vanilla on the sweeter side. Pumpernickel, cinnamon on the spicy side. Leather and petrichor ground the sweet and spice. Deep in the recesses is the JD banana profile. P: After getting past the anesthetic sip, and the palate acclimated you can begin to taste the flavors. Cola, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla all blended. Chewy. Towards the finish, the rye side comes forward, with barrel char F: Pins and needle’s tongue that fades towards a long, bitter finish. Wood char, cola, cloves with a tinge of spearmint. W: A good dose of water definitely softens the dram. However, the character, the spice and earthiness are diminished. O: This is a solid sipping rye. This sips closer to a bourbon than a rye. Sweeter than grainy. A touch of water definitely softens the experience. A solid nose with an enjoyable and approachable palate with a good, long lasting finish. Add in more rye spice and baking spice and this would be very solid. Would work well in an old fashioned or maybe even a Manhattan. But a good sipper. Comparatively, the Straight Rye I found to be a better mixer. [88/100][Tasted: 2/21/25] getting past the anesthetic sip, and the palate acclimated you can begin to taste the flavors. Cola, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla all blended. Chewy. Towards the finish, the rye side comes forward, with barrel char F: Pins and needle’s tongue that fades towards a long, bitter finish. Wood char, cola, cloves with a tinge of spearmint. W: A good dose of water definitely softens the dram. However, the character, the spice and earthiness are diminished. O: This is a solid sipping rye. This sips closer to a bourbon than a rye. Sweeter than grainy. A touch of water definitely softens the experience. A solid nose with an enjoyable and approachable palate with a good, long lasting finish. Add in more rye spice and baking spice and this would be very solid. Would work well in an old fashioned or maybe even a Manhattan. But a good sipper. Comparatively, the Straight Rye I found to be a better mixer. [88/100][Tasted: 2/21/25]