The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of Traverse City Whiskey Co. Signature Edition Rye Barrel Proof (3 barrels) for $89.99 + tax and Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Wheat Single Barrel (2 barrels) for $84.99 + tax arriving at select stores the week of March 20th.
These are bottled as single-barrels so each barrel will have a unique flavor profile based on how long and where in the warehouses they were aged. The tasting notes are:
Barrel Proof Wheat Single Barrel - 95% wheat and 5% sourced malted barley
- Barrel #W17-003 - 115.60 Proof - Aged 5 Years - A tempting nose of candied honeysuckle delivers a confectioner’s dream flavor of baking spices that finishes briefly on the palate with a last flourish of spice.
- Barrel #W17-011 - 116.60 Proof - Aged 5 Years - Ever so softly, this fragrant wheated whiskey arrives with a smooth, approachable, and subtly complex almond flavor that satisfies with pleasant viscosity. Its medium-length finish is slightly drying, with elements of an oaked chardonnay, and it says farewell like a warm hug.
Signature Edition Rye Barrel Proof - 95% rye and 5% sourced malted barley
- Barrel #N14-335 - 118.60 Proof - Aged 8 Years - Sweet aromatic notes of wild honey drizzled over toasted rye bread welcome silky, velvety flavor waves of candied orange peel, raw honey, and toasted wild oats.
- Barrel #N16-369 - 116.20 Proof - Aged 6 Years - An enchanting aroma of brown sugar and subtle citrus delivers a rye-forward flavor with prominent notes of butterscotch and dill spice, culminating in a big, robust finish.
- Barrel #N16-373 - 113.90 Proof - Aged 6 Years - A comforting nose of toasted granola and coconut opens up to a viscous flavor bouquet of warm winter spices with hints of nutmeg and vanilla.
You can use this site to try to track down a bottle of the wheat and this site for the rye. Note that inventory will be made available on a daily basis as locations receive their shipments.
My Take
I've never had any version of Traver City so I can't speak directly to this release. The price seems a bit high considering most bottles will have a 5 or 6 year age statement on them. I'm usually not a fan of wheat whiskey's... the only wheat I've reviewed so far, Woodford Wheat, scored a less than spectacular 66.5/100. For those reasons, this is a release I'll be taking a pass on.
What do you think? Drop a note in the comments below.
