291 Colorado Rye Single Barrel

Appearance: This increasingly popular rye has a deep brown hue, resembling old leather, with very thin, syrupy legs. Aroma: The scent is potent and assertive, yet incredibly pleasant! It features notes of cinnamon raisin pastry, figs, plums, dark chocolate, almonds, waxy chestnuts, freshly baked rye bread, and strawberry candy. Adding a bit of water shifts it towards floral and sweet, though much of its intricate character becomes subdued. Palate: The taste is delightful, rich, and sweet, with flavors of chocolate mints, oatmeal cookies, gentle dried fruit, and a perfect level of oakiness (for my preference). It also has an ashy texture. Diluting it makes the flavor sharp and unbalanced. I advise against adding water. Finish: A long finish with lingering notes of black tea and mint. Assessment: My observations are based on barrel #461, bottle #38/61. I'm a big fan of this rye! It's the signature whiskey from this distillery and is receiving numerous accolades. I highly recommend it and plan to repurchase. Even if you're not typically a rye drinker, I suggest giving this a try and reconsidering your preference. My thanks to the distillery. Cheers!

I had a serving at the Denver airport before my flight... The aroma is reminiscent of a sweet pancake breakfast, with notes of syrup and berries. It brings to mind a boysenberry syrup with hints of caramel. The palate offers distinct flavors of chocolate, mint, spice, and wood. The finish is characterized by wood and dark chocolate. This is not a reserved whiskey; the tastes are amplified significantly. It's certainly unlike most spirits I've encountered. I would have liked to sample it in a mixed drink, but at around $80 a bottle, I doubt that will happen. It's good, but it loses points for being too expensive.

Perhaps I'm in the minority here. It brings to mind a particular Balcones I sampled; the flavor profile was quite intense, monotonous, and artificial. The spearmint note, which I dislike, doesn't improve things. The aroma had notes of varnish and wood glue. The taste was better but didn't help after having Bunnahabhain 25 with its complexity and subtlety, I suppose. I question how this earned so many accolades; maybe, like Balcones, I missed its peak. That spearmint is just far too dominant for me..

Poured neat. Robust aroma of dark chocolate, cherry pie, and licorice. I also detect some damp, earthy notes. The aroma carries into the flavor. It tastes like a homemade chocolate cherry cheesecake your grandma would make. Some cola and baking spice notes are present on the finish. Excellent balance of proof and flavor, this is a very delicious whiskey!

A great alternative to the Thomas Handy Sazerac. Big & bold, it has prominent cinnamon but is also well-balanced. The malted rye provides a unique, yet subtle sweetness. Its low rye content makes it a good choice for those who don't typically enjoy rye, while still offering plenty of complexity for experienced rye enthusiasts.

This is exceptional. Truly one-of-a-kind, from the initial scent to the final sip. However, it's not for the timid. An intense sensory journey. It has a luxurious mouthfeel with abundant cinnamon, buttered popcorn, and caramel notes.