Category: Rye

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Review

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye is made by Luxco at their Ross & Squibb distillery. Which you might also know as MGP, LDI or even the Jos. E. Seagram Distillery. I have no idea how many total names its had since its founding in 1847, but what I do know is that in my drinking […]

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Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye is made by Luxco at their Ross & Squibb distillery. Which you might also know as MGP, LDI or even the Jos. E. Seagram Distillery. I have no idea how many total names its had since its founding in 1847, but what I do know is that in my drinking life it’s been known for one thing in particular: rye whiskey.

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Review

And not just known for it, but also has made some of my favorite ryes of all time. And now Luxco is trying to bring that focus back to the distillery and its new name. The Rossville Union brand currently focuses on the awesome rye that MGP, excuse me, R&S has been known for and still makes. This is a line I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on.

Now, let’s get to drinkin’!

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Rye (Straight)
Region: IN, USA
Distiller: Ross & Squibb (MGP)

Mash Bill: BLend of 51% & 9%
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 7 Years
ABV: 58.6%

Batch: 01
Barrels Used: 82

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Price: $55*

Related Whiskey

Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye
Pikesville Rye
Frey Ranch Rye Bottled-In-Bond
Redemption 10 Year Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey
Sagamore Spirit Rye Cask Strength

White background tasting shot with the Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“Our barrel proof straight rye whiskey has a bold, spicy, caramel-forward taste with a balanced smoky finish.” – Rossville Union


Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy amber

NOSE
Dilly rye spice, baking spice, oak, cocoa, caramel, dried dark fruit, a touch of vanilla and citrus.

Deep and heavy, it’s an aroma that drifts elegantly through the senses.

PALATE
Dilly rye spice, cocoa, oak, leather, pepper, caramel, dried dark fruit, baking spice, vanilla taffy and some honey.

BAM, this hits like a rye spice truck fueled by oak.

FINISH
Long -> Dilly rye spice, oak, cocoa and fruit.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, full-bodied, oily and slightly drying as it fades.

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye – Overall Thoughts and Score

This is a powerhouse of a rye, but then, did you expect anything else from MGP? Excuse me, Ross & Squibb? This new name is going to take some time getting used to. I only stopped calling it LDI 6 or 7 years ago.

This blending of their “barely rye” mash and their famous 95/5 mash brings a lot of the oak and depth whiskey lovers look for, but also keeps that dilly-herbal-spice that rye fanatics crave. Both in flavor and execution, it reminds me of those early bottles of High West Rendezvous Rye which were a blend of 95/5 and the lower rye Barton. And I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t a bit of a nod to HW who helped kick rye back up into prominence.

While I would like a bit more of that dilly note in this, I’m quite happy with the Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye. It’s flavorful, aromatic, and makes one hell of a Sazerac. This will definitely be entering my regular rotation.

SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this Rye Whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Review $55
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Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Back Label

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Alias Straight Rye Whiskey Review

This Alias Straight Rye Whiskey comes from the Ross & Squibb distillery (ex-MGP) and uses their 51/45/4 mash. This barely-rye is meant to celebrate the unsung women of distilling’s past who had to use male aliases to run the distillery and do business. We know women played pivotal roles in whiskey history, and have indeed […]

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This Alias Straight Rye Whiskey comes from the Ross & Squibb distillery (ex-MGP) and uses their 51/45/4 mash. This barely-rye is meant to celebrate the unsung women of distilling’s past who had to use male aliases to run the distillery and do business.

Alias Straight Rye Whiskey Review

We know women played pivotal roles in whiskey history, and have indeed been largely left out of the stories, so the premise isn’t off. What is off is the total lack of follow-up on this whiskey. No website, no deeper explanation, no big movements with women-owned bars, female bar tenders or… anything.

This is Luxco making something, throwing it out and then just shrugging off its existence. But maybe there’s a reason for that. Let’s dig deeper and get to drinkin’!

Alias Straight Rye Whiskey – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Style: Rye (Straight)
Region: Indiana, USA
Distiller: Ross & Squibb (MGP)

Mash Bill: At least 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 45%

Alias Straight Rye Whiskey Price: $28*

Related Whiskey

Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye
New Riff Rye Whiskey
Frey Ranch Rye Bottled-In-Bond
Redemption Rye
Sagamore Spirit Rye

White background tasting shot with the Alias Rye bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“Celebrate the craft. Celebrate the craftiness” – Alias Rye

Alias Straight Rye Tasting Notes

EYE
Light caramel

NOSE
Woody, grainy, dried orchard fruit, herbal spice, pie crust, copper and a spirity kick

Smells younger than it supposedly is and has a slight solvent-like sharpness to it.

PALATE
Watery rye spice, woody oak, caramel, dried fruit, grassy grain and some copper and sharp piney-herbal notes.

Not a huge fan of this palate, it comes across raw and unrefined.

FINISH
Med-short -> Caramel, copper, stale spice and earthiness

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Not balanced, medium body, sharp acidic feel.

Alias Straight Rye – Overall Thoughts and Score

This definitely feels like a Luxco “throwaway project”. The terrible bottle design, the lack of online information, the immature harsh whiskey. Nothing about this feels like it’s a product meant to last more than a press cycle or two. I haven’t even seen it on the shelves of stores that carry a lot of other Luxco products.

Alias Straight Rye drinks hotter than it should, I would not guess 45% blindly, and has a strange herbal-earthy-musty note that drifts awkwardly across the senses. This is not a whiskey I’d reach for, but it does, oddly, make a decent Manhattan if you use all sweet red vermouth. There are dozens of I’d rather use, but this doesn’t do a terrible job as a cocktail rye. At least it has that going for it.

SCORE: 1.5/5 (not good, only recommendation is to avoid ~ C- | 70-72)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this rye review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Alias Straight Rye Whiskey Review $28
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Alias Straight Rye Whiskey Back Label

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Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky Review

Made from 100% Rye, the Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky calls itself a blend because it’s a mix of new charred oak and used cooperage. To what extent that amount is they’re not saying and I wish they would because that word blend can make things a bit confusing. Especially on this side of the […]

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Made from 100% Rye, the Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky calls itself a blend because it’s a mix of new charred oak and used cooperage. To what extent that amount is they’re not saying and I wish they would because that word blend can make things a bit confusing. Especially on this side of the border.

Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky Review

Up in Canada they just call it rye, because legally they can, but down here in the USA we have different laws governing the labels of whiskey, especially when it comes to bourbon and rye. So even though it’s a 100% rye mash, the use of both new and used cooperage requires the word blend be added to it. And that can be confusing because it could also have GNS in it and be called a blend. That word is such a wide catch-all down here that without extra info you’re often left wondering what exactly you’re drinking. Anywho…

Let’s get to drinkin’!

Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Style: Rye (Canadian)
Region: Canada
Distiller: Alberta Distillers

Mash Bill: 100% Rye
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Bourbon
Age: 5 years
ABV: 40%

Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky Price: $30*

Related Whiskey

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
Lot 40 Canadian Rye
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Canadian Club 100% Rye
WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years

White background tasting shot with the Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“An explosive taste that is bold with its own unique earthy character, made with 100% Canadian Prairie Rye and aged for a minimum of 5 years, Alberta Premium is the original 100% rye.” – Alberta Distillers

Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky Tasting Notes

EYE
Lightly golden amber

NOSE
Caramel, butterscotch, baking spice, copper, dried fruit and acetone.

The Cask Strength version has a more intense, deeper, aroma, but this isn’t bad, or at least wouldn’t be if that industrial/acetone note wasn’t there.

PALATE
Caramel, watery butterscotch, copper, orange peel, touch anise and herbal spice with a hint of something industrial/solventy.

Again, not bad, but that sharp note at the end keeps throwing me off a bit.

FINISH
Medium-Short -> Darkly sweet and spiced with a light touch of that acetone.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Not fully balanced, light body and a soft watery feel.

Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky – Overall Thoughts and Score

If it wasn’t for that industrial/solventy/acetone-like note this would be quite a nice whisky. As it sits right now it’s just an ok whisky because that off-note is light and unobtrusive. And while, this doesn’t hold a candle to its amazing cask strength sibling, it is better than a lot of the other Canadian whiskies we get down here.

I would take the Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky over Black Velvet, Seagram’s VO Gold, Canadian Mist or the standard Crown Royal any day. This has some character and a bit of depth to it the rest just don’t. It also makes a pretty decent Canadian Old Fashioned where that industrial note completely fades away.

SCORE: 2.5/5 (average, drinkable, possible minor flaws ~ C+ | 77-79)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this Canadian Whisky review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky Review $30
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Alberta Premium Blended Rye Whisky Back Label

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Uncle Nearest Rye, 100 proof

This review sample was kindly provided by the PR team for Uncle Nearest Whiskey with no strings attached.

…

This review sample was kindly provided by the PR team for Uncle Nearest Whiskey with no strings attached.

It’s been snowing for the last two days. I hate snow. It’s cold. It’s wet unless it isn’t, in which case it is even colder. It’s heavy, especially when it is wet. It’s just all-around unpleasant. Though that is an unpopular opinion around here. Most folks in the area love winter. Or they claim to. I secretly think they are just stubborn and don’t want to move.

And don’t you worry, I’m thinking of moving. I think about it with every shovel full of snow that I throw off the driveway. Every time I look out at the snow-covered deck and think about deck drinks. Every time I have to bundle up to walk to the mailbox at the end of my driveway. Every time I think about moving. But…then I don’t. I have family here. My wife has a good job. I can afford to pay the heating bill. There is a lot of inertia in staying put. At least I have tasty rye whiskey to help keep me warm on a cold winter’s night.

Sometimes, like tonight, that rye comes from Canada, a place even colder than Minnesota. Though tonight’s comes from Canada by way of New York and Tennessee. Yep, once again, we are looking at an Uncle Nearest Rye. About a month ago, we looked at the limited edition uncut and unfiltered version. Tonight’s is the mass market, 100° proof version. The press release has the following to say about it:

Due to the challenges around growing rye in Tennessee, this whiskey originates in Canada – according to the exact American specifications required to be a straight rye whiskey – and is then aged in New York for a minimum of four years before moving down to Tennessee, where it is then rested in used Uncle Nearest barrels for additional maturation. The liquid is then tasted, barrel by barrel, and blended by Victoria. “When I was doing my research on Nearest Green, I came across a handwritten letter from President William Taft,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. “The letter was dated May 16, 1911, and was addressed to his U.S. Secretary of War, Jacob M. Dickinson, thanking him for sending his favorite rye whiskey ‘of the Lincoln County variety.’ This letter led me to believe rye whiskeys were being made in this area, so after I found that letter there was no doubt in my mind a straight rye whiskey would one day be added to our portfolio of whiskeys.”

So, let’s see how it tastes, shall we?

Uncle Nearest Rye, 100 proof

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $59.

Price Per Drink (50 ml): $4.00

Details: Distilled in Canada, Aged in Canada, New York, and Tennessee. 50% ABV.

Nose: Toffee, almond, a hint of mint, and chocolate.

Mouth: Thick mouthfeel. Cinnamon, mint, toffee, and almond.

Finish: Medium to long and warm. Notes of cinnamon and toffee.

Thoughts: Sweet and thick in the mouth. Nice spice. Almost too sweet for my palate. This would probably be amazing in an Old Fashioned, though. (Spoiler from after I took the notes…it is. Works great in an Old Fashioned with Angostura bitters and the oil expressed from the orange peel garnish.)

About a month ago, we covered the Uncut/Unfiltered Limited Edition Uncle Nearest Rye. So how does the 100° proof version compare? Well, this is very similar on the nose. The mouth of the 100° proof is a bit less punchy than the barrel-strength version. Which at an almost 20° proof difference is to be expected. The flavors are very similar, as you might expect, but the barrel-proof version is hotter and more vibrant. Both are quite good, though.

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Uncle Nearest Introduces Trio Of Whiskies

Nearest Green Distillery has released a trio of whiskies to add to their popular Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey portfolio – Uncle Nearest Straight Rye, Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label Whiskey, and Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye. Uncle Nearest Straight Rye is bottled at 50% alcohol by volume [100 proof] and is said to contain […]

Nearest Green Distillery has released a trio of whiskies to add to their popular Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey portfolio – Uncle Nearest Straight Rye, Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label Whiskey, and Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye.

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye is bottled at 50% alcohol by volume [100 proof] and is said to contain notes of caramelized sugar, rye and vanilla.

Nearest Green sourced their Uncle Nearest Straight Rye from Canada, aged it in New York for four years before transferring it to Tennessee to rest and finish in its used barrels.

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey is being made available for $60 per bottle online and at Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Black Label will be made available on November 25, 2022, for $80 per bottle, joined by Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye on December 15, 2022, for $90 per bottle.

Redemption Rye

This bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes with no strings attached.

…

This bottle was provided by the producer for review purposes with no strings attached.

If you ever wonder whether or not you are good at your job, just think about the poor Minnesota Legislature and the fact that they accidentally legalized THC edibles this summer because one party forgot to actually read the bill that they were voting on. But since a majority of citizens in my adopted home state wish they had gone further and just legalized marijuana, they can’t even take credit for doing what they accidentally did. If you can say that you are better at your job than that, I say that you’ve got it made.

I was thinking about that tonight as I was playing a little Pink Floyd on my new turntable. For…no reason.

I kid, obviously. I was actually thinking about it because I was working on some banner ads. I hate making banner ads because I hate seeing them. (There is a reason I don’t put ads on this site.) Not only that, but I’m not terribly good at them. But people keep hiring me to do it, so…at least I’m better at the job than the Minnesota Legislature?

Oh, speaking of…vote for people next Tuesday that will actually do their job and read the damn bills that they are voting on, ok? I won’t tell you which party to vote for (you probably already know my leanings), but regardless, we should be hiring people who, at the bare minimum, can do the reading part of their job.

Anyway, now that I’m all worked up. Who wants a drink?

Tonight, I’m looking at a whiskey that I have walked past for years. Literally years. I saw that it was listed as two years old on the back and just didn’t feel like giving it a chance. Even if it does look to be sourced from MGP, my favorite distillery for rye. They sent it along with a more expensive new release so that I would have a baseline to compare with the new one. As I hadn’t had either before, I thought that was pretty smart. So let’s dig in.

Redemption Rye

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided for review purposes at no cost. It goes for $27.99 at my nearest Total Wine.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.87

Details: 2 years old. 46% ABV. Mash bill: 95% Rye and 5% Malted Barley.

Nose: Spearmint, herbal dill, and bubblegum.

Mouth: Gum from a pack of 1980's baseball cards (yes, I'm old. If you aren't, think bubblegum with hints of cardboard, but in a good way), spearmint, nutmeg, and almond.

Finish: On the shorter side of medium. Notes of mint, cinnamon, and caramel.

IMAGE: This isn't bad, but it's not really for me. So it gets a neutral face.

Thoughts: This is an ok Rye whiskey that I will happily finish but probably wouldn't buy again unless it is on sale. It's a pretty sweet and gentle rye. Which isn't typically what I look for in rye whiskey. However, it does work ok in rye cocktails. I tested it in a Sazerac and an Old Fashioned, and it worked fine in both as long as you adjusted the other ingredients to account for the fact that this is a little gentler than other ryes I’d usually use. Overall, not bad, just kinda meh. I’m excited to try the other bottle they sent now that I have this as a baseline. Check back next week to see how the more expensive version fairs. (How’s that for a tease?)

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6 Great Rye Whiskeys to Try Now

From cask finishing to single barrel releases, these rye whiskies are flavorful and perfect for fall sipping.

The post 6 Great Rye Whiskeys to Try Now appeared first on Whisky Advocate.

Bartenders love rye whiskey for the bold and spicy flavor it lends to cocktails, but rye is just as great for sipping neat or on the rocks. Plus, unlike bourbon, rye can be made anywhere in the world—Canada has a rich history of producing rye, while distillers on the world stage are crafting some excellent expressions as well—meaning there is an ever-growing diversity to the style. In short, rye is versatile and delicious, and earlier this year, we dedicated an entire issue to it.

More recently, the Fall 2022 issue just hit newsstands this month, and features more than 130 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, including some great tasting ryes. These six rye whiskeys all scored 90 points or more and include inventive finishes, skillful blends, and a high proof single barrel bottling.

Uncork one of these 90-point rye whiskeys

Four Gate Rye Downunder Finished in Australian Apera Sherry Casks (Batch 16)
92 points, 55.1%, $200

Earthy scents of grain and old leather against lighter fruit notes of grape and dried figs. The palate is well-balanced, with an impressive mix of fruit and spice, plus dark chocolate and caramel. The mouthfeel is jammy, creamy, rich, and extremely pleasant overall. The finish offers great length and lots of spice at the back end. The spiciness of rye meets flavorful fruit and chocolate—an excellent one. (2,168 bottles)—David Fleming

Chicken Cock Island Rooster Rum Barrel Finished
91 points , 47.5%, $200

Green apple candy, honeydew, cantaloupe, lemon jelly candies, and cooked blueberries alongside pine needles on the nose. The palate is similarly soft, with more lemon and pine flavors, rye spice, and with water, bitter chocolate and dark berries. The texture is creamy and oily, like freshly made hummus. A rich finish provides good length, plus notes of blueberry compote and chocolate cake. The finish presents itself nimbly on this bright and easy sipper. (12,000 bottles)—Ted Simmons

Frey Ranch Barrel Strength Distiller’s Reserve Single Barrel (No. 260)
91 points, 68.73%, $100

Powerful and big on the nose, with baked chocolate brownies, plum pudding, cooked prunes, and woodsmoke. Water brings out spice notes of nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla. The palate is spicy, with blackberry tart, chocolate, blueberry pie, barrel char, and more vanilla. The finish is the best part, with balanced char, lots of deep chocolate, and some dark fruit. It’s a hot one, but this is a very well-made whiskey.—David Fleming

291 M Wood Staves and Maple Syrup Barrel Finished
90 points, 63. 5%, $110

A dark brown whiskey with orange peel, black tea, new leather, and green apple candy on the nose. It is sweet and pungent, with tropical fruit emerging with water. A syrupy palate brings apple tart, vanilla pound cake, and honey and granola, with water unlocking notes of chile-dusted mango and toasted marshmallow. The finish is long, with sweetened coffee and chocolate syrup. There is a lot to unpack here, but water helps.—Ted Simmons

Alias
90 points, 45%, $30

This is like taking a trip to New England— there’s an earthy must that’s complemented beautifully by woodpile, pine trees, apple orchard, and clean air. Given the nose, the palate is somewhat surprising (but no less lovely); that earthiness lingers on, but it’s joined by lemon-poppyseed muffin and white peppercorn. A lovely round finish coaxes out some chocolate, marking a great end to a delicious ride.—Julia Higgins

Stellum Fibonacci Blend No. 1
90 points, 57.56%, $100

Plenty of cinnamon spice on the nose, sweetly balanced by vanilla bean, some fresh, green notes, and root beer float. While the palate starts off quite hot, once the Red Hots surge passes a lovely dollop of honey emerges, followed soon after by creme brûlée. Raspberry syrup adds a nice, if subdued, fruity zing. The finish cuts off fairly quickly, but it packs a fiery punch. (9,000 bottles)—Julia Higgins

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Square 6 High-Rye Rye Review

The Square 6 High-Rye Rye is the second release from the artisanal distillery at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. You may be wondering why it is a High-Rye Rye? Well, read our review to find out!

The post Square 6 High-Rye Rye Review appeared first on Bourbon Obsessed℠ .

Square 6
High-Rye Rye Whiskey
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Distilled at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
95 Proof
MSRP: $89.99
Review

Please enjoy our Square 6 High-Rye Rye Review!

The Second Release from the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

The Square 6 High-Rye Rye is the second release from the artisanal distillery at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. If you haven’t been to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, it’s worth checking out. In fact you can read more about it and Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau in the Distillery Reviews section of BourbonObsessed.com!

But back to this rye! Why is it a “High-Rye” rye you may be wondering, since there are ryes out there, such as from a well known distillery in Lawrenceburg, IN, which have a much higher rye content than Square 6 High-Rye Rye. Well, it’s all relative. Heaven Hill’s regular rye mashbill is 51% rye, 37% corn and 12% malted barley. Whereas, the Square 6 High-Rye Rye mashbill is 63% Rye, 24% Corn, and 13% Malted Barley. So, with 63% rye, the Square 6 has a higher rye content. Voila! Hence the name!

Square 6 High-Rye Rye Front Label
Square 6 High-Rye Rye Back Label
Square 6 High-Rye Rye From the Artisanal Distillery at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Tasting Notes – Square 6 High-Rye Rye Whiskey

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Sweet, almost syrupy brown sugar and a bit of graininess; rye spices become noticeable after I acclimate to the initial flavors; hint of licorice and some unsweetened tea towards the back; deep sweet fruit like figs, slightly overripe pears and dried apricots; relatively mild alcohol
👉🏻Taste: Sweet initially; caramel and simple syrup sweetness; some rye spices, too; the tea, fruit and grain linger as well; however, there’s a surprising amount of black pepper spice which develops fairly rapidly
👉🏻Finish: Spiciness continues to grow. The initial black pepper is joined by a drier capsaicin like spice, along with some char and dry oak. However some of the sweeter flavors remain as well, and all linger for quite a long time.

Square 6 High-Rye Rye Review - Cap
Square 6 High-Rye Rye is Definitely A Pot Still Rye

There is no mistaking that this rye was distilled with a pot still. It has the distinctive flavors, characteristics and full body, that can generally only be found in a pot-distilled whiskey. However, the sweet almost syrupy beginning in no way portends what is to come. The amount of black pepper and capsaicin spice that develops fairly rapidly towards the end of the sip and into the finish, comes as a bit of a surprise. Although, perhaps it shouldn’t, as this is a High-Rye Rye!

Conclusion

I am a pot still whiskey, fan, and there really aren’t that many pot still distilled ryes out there. Neeley Family Distillery comes to mind, M.B. Roland, and perhaps the original batches of rye from Wilderness Trail Distillery. So it is very nice to see this Square 6 High-Rye Rye Whiskey join this small group. It’s quite a different flavor profile than the traditional Kentucky, Indiana or Pennsylvania rye, but one that I am finding quite enjoyable.

Are you a pot still whiskey fan? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Square 6 High-Rye Rye Review! If you would like to read more about the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, check out our Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Review and read our interview with the Evan William’s Bourbon Experience’s Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau!

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Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?🙂 If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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Master’s Keep Unforgotten

Last week, a TTB filing for Master’s Keep Voyage, a straight bourbon finished in ex Jamaican rum casks, appeared on the COLA registry. Almost immediately, reactions from the bourbon community were swift and divided, ranging from shouts of enthusiastic …

Last week, a TTB filing for Master’s Keep Voyage, a straight bourbon finished in ex Jamaican rum casks, appeared on the COLA registry. Almost immediately, reactions from the bourbon community were swift and divided, ranging from shouts of enthusiastic approval, to eyerolls, grumbles, and the neo-proverbial “jumped the shark” commentary. Look, I get it. Some […]

The post Master’s Keep Unforgotten appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey

This review sample was kindly provided by the PR team for Uncle Nearest Whiskey with no strings attached.

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This review sample was kindly provided by the PR team for Uncle Nearest Whiskey with no strings attached.

IMAGE: A bottle of Uncle Nearest Rye sitting in the morning sunlight. Enjoying itself and waiting for the appropriate time to crack itself open and be shared.

Holy shit, y’all! I’m back! Did you miss me? I missed you. Not quite as much as I missed my taste buds and breathing normally, but you were at least top three…five. Top five, for sure.

You have no idea how happy I am right now. And not just because I can actually taste and smell the whiskey I’m writing about tonight. No, last night I had just about the best date night I can possibly imagine. My absolute favorite musical artist, Butch Walker, was kicking off his tour last night up in Dinkytown (the area around the northern edge of the University of Minnesota campus), and my wife got us tickets. I’ve been beaming since the show ended. I can’t hear anything because my old deaf ears take longer to recover from the noise of a loud and raucous rock show than they did when I was younger. But I don’t even care. It was worth it.

Add to that fact the opportunity to talk about whiskey, and I’m just in heaven right now. Though I’m going to warn you right now, the flow of this post may suffer tonight. I’m taking frequent breaks to sing along with the Spotify playlist I made that has the songs that were played at the concert. I’ve been doing it all day. Needless to say, it’s been quite the bouncy day for me.

Anyway, we are talking about whiskey, not music. Though if you give me even a sliver of opportunity, I’ll talk music all night. So I’m really trying hard to reign myself in tonight…

Right, yes. Back to whiskey. Tonight we are taking a look at the latest offering from Uncle Nearest. It is a distillery exclusive that holds promise for more widely available releases in the future. Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered is a rye whiskey sourced from Canada and then aged in New York and then Tennessee. It is bottled at whatever strength that the batch was when the barrels were all dumped. It says “Uncut” right in the name. This batch ended up at 119.7° proof, but I’m going to guess if they have future batches that, they will be at least a little different. If you are curious about what the PR Firm has to say about it, here is the summary I got from them:

To create its uncut/unfiltered rye whiskey, Uncle Nearest sourced its rye from Canada and raised it in New York for four years. Once it was ready, the Uncle Nearest team brought it back to Tennessee to rest and finish in its barrels before being bottled. The new expression reinforces Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler’s ability to create the highest quality whiskeys possible even when moving away from the filtration process that was created by her great-great-grandfather. Uncle Nearest’s inaugural rye whiskey is available as a distillery exclusive offering available for purchase ($149) at the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, TN.

As I mentioned, this seems to be just the beginning for Uncle Nearest and their experiments in the world of Rye whiskey. According to the details I got from the producer: “For those unable to make it to Shelbyville, there will be more Rye to come from Uncle Nearest in the coming months, including Straight Rye and Single Barrel Rye.” As a lover of both Rye and Canadian whiskey, this is good news for me.

But most importantly, how does it taste?

Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: This sample bottle was kindly provided to me for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $149.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $10.00

Details: Distilled in Canada, Aged in Canada, New York, and Tennessee. 59.8% ABV. Batch 001.

Nose: Caramel, black tea, mint, chocolate, and a hint of bubble gum.

Mouth: Very hot. Caramel, chocolate, and black tea.

Finish: Long and very warm. Notes of toffee, chocolate, cinnamon, and mint.

Thoughts: This is a pretty good rye whiskey. You can taste the Canadian origin. Lots of caramel/toffee and black tea notes. It's very sweet but as hot as one would expect something that's almost 120° proof to be. Just a tiny splash of water does wonders to tame the heat and bring out even more sweetness. This is a "dessert rye" if I've ever tasted one. I think I like the standard Tennessee Whiskey Uncle Nearest releases better, but this is a very interesting change of pace when it comes to rye whiskey. If it were in a store, I doubt I’d want to pay $150 for a bottle. But if I was at the distillery and it was going to be a souvenir, well, then all bets are off. I’ve paid much more for worse whisky as a distillery exclusive in the past. It has made me decide to keep my eyes open for the other Ryes that will be coming along in the fairly near future, though.

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