Laws Secale Straight Rye Bottled-In-Bond

While residing in Canada, I was preparing for a trip to Colorado and contacted liquor stores in Denver to inquire about whiskies unavailable in Canada. Though they lacked the specific bottles I was looking for, a sales associate informed me about A.D. Laws whiskey, which had received an award for best rye in the world in 2017. He described it as the finest rye he had ever tasted and mentioned its current availability solely in Colorado, its place of origin. After verifying his recommendation through online research, I decided to drive directly from the Denver airport to purchase several bottles of this spirit, as it is quite difficult to obtain even within Colorado. This is certainly a very good rye. I find it challenging to distinguish all the subtle nuances of its flavor profile. I would characterize it as having a thick yet very smooth consistency. Most genuine ryes (containing over 90% rye grain) possess a more pronounced spicy bite; however, this one is exceptionally smooth, with a flavor reminiscent of leather, but in a positive manner. I will need to make this last, as it will likely be a considerable time before I have another chance to purchase it, but I will cherish every sip.

It presents a rich nose, reminiscent of Campbelltown or island Scotch. It immediately offers a rich taste that avoids typical vegetal and medicinal clichés, tasting meaty before tasting like rotten vegetation. This is a distinctive experience. I appreciate the richness but feel it could have achieved better flavor notes. There's a prominent unpleasant bread flavor here, overshadowing some pleasant chocolate and subtle caramel notes. Some nuttiness is also present. Strong toasted wood flavors are quite enjoyable. The vegetal notes fade quickly, leaving the unpleasant bread as the main remaining issue. Smoke is certainly present, but not overwhelmingly so. The fruity notes in the finish provide a nice conclusion, leaning towards rich red flavors like dark cherries. I wish the mint wasn't present. The spices pack a decent punch, with allspice and coriander being more noticeable than cinnamon. There's even a hint of tea flavor. This is likely the most drinkable unpleasant bread spirit I've encountered due to its excellent complexity, but the unpleasant bread prevents all the elements from fully coming together.

This Bottled-in-Bond rye presents a copper hue with viscous, semi-watery legs. Its aroma offers complexity, revealing scents of dried hay, pronounced dill, black pepper, juniper, decaying apple, and banana. The taste is creamy on the palate, featuring flavors of barbecue, baking spices like cardamom, and melon. A prolonged finish lingers, concluding with hints of fennel and pepper. To Laws!

A truly outstanding spirit! The nose is very subtle with refined hints of grain and perhaps a touch of cantaloupe. The palate rewards with everything I look for: pepper, a slight sweet honey, and the depth that comes with a higher proofed spirit. Honey and apple play with you until the end. Sadly, these few drops conclude the journey of this bottle for me. Will surely look for it in the future.

Pleasant Rye. The aroma has sweet grain and wood notes. A nice rye burn initiates the taste, accompanied by grain and sweetness resembling biscuits with honey. Wood is also present, continuing through the finish, which features a pleasant woody bitterness. The finish isn't excessively long, and while the whiskey lacks the complexity of others, it leans closer to a 5 than a 4.

An oakey nose with a youthful rye mouthfeel. The taste is spicy and oakey. White pepper coats the mouth but appears as a remaining note. There is a subtle sweetness with each sip but the peppery rye is the dominant influence