Tried one ounce neat at a local tasting bar for $15. MSRP is around $185. This is sourced from an undisclosed location and could potentially be from Old Forester but never confirmed.
Color – The Color on this is a beautiful brilliant amber that pops. This is the perfect color for a whiskey.
Aroma – A very fresh spicy note, honey, licorice, cinnamon and vanilla highlight the nose.
Taste – Black pepper dominates with nice hints of leather and oak. This was aged beautifully. I get a tinge of a sweet citrus note on the backend and maybe a little nuttiness. Mouthfeel is a bit thin for my liking but I fully except that with a rye whiskey. The age on this gives a lot more viscosity than a lower aged rye whiskey. Normally traditional bourbons and aged wheated bourbons have a fuller mouthfeel in my experiences. A very concentrated combination of flavors that hit the palate perfectly.
Finish – This has a full finish that sits nicely on the pallet and slowly moves down into your chest. It’s nice and gentle but a little underwhelming that is probably because of the lower proof. An easy drinker for sure.
Rating – 8.5/10
A delightful rye whiskey that I would love to own a bottle of. This didn’t blow my mind but it’s a great pour. The 92.8 proof on this is perfect in combination with the age. This drinks more like a bourbon than it does a rye whiskey. The citrus notes and hints of sweetness that are present lead me to believe this is might be a mashbill with the rye component in the 50-60% range. I would expect more herbal notes and much stronger pepper notes in a 95-100% rye mashbill. A beautiful expression but my taste prefers a similarly spicy and similarly aged bourbon. If I saw this at retail price it is an instant buy. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wish my palate preferred rye whiskey. I do highly recommend!
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect
Debonair Gentlemen 
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