Bardstown Bourbon Co. Rye

Received this in a tasting set. Eager to discover the impact of the cherry wood. The initial aroma is caramel and green apple in a grassy setting. It evokes memories of the fair with notes of licorice and cotton candy. The first taste is a bit sharp initially but then mellows and effectively reflects the aroma. The finish is long and satisfying, giving the impression of a more robust rye. A second taste reveals the grassy note leading to a caramel candy apple with licorice and spice on the finish. It's almost like dropping a candy apple in the grass, picking it up, and taking a bite. I don't dislike it. Adding water shifted the initial sharpness to the mid-palate. It became thinner but also more balanced. I can imagine this being good served over ice. I do enjoy rye whiskey, and this one appeals to me. I believe the cherry wood enhances the candy-like notes that rye can possess. Overall, I would drink this again.

Remember last week's Dallas game against Green Bay? I skipped it because I figured it'd be a pointless watch, assuming Dallas would win by a massive margin, at least 20 points, to the point of being boring. A former President, who is currently facing criminal charges and might run again, once said, “we’ll be winning so much, you’ll get bored.” Unfortunately, this sample was similar to that game. I just assumed that since it's from Bardstown and I really enjoyed their Origins Bottled-in-Bond bourbon, this would be equally good. That was the wrong assumption. They dropped the ball on this one. Fresh, minty aroma. Typical for a rye. But on the palate, it falls apart for me. It's a bit harsh, with green apple and mint notes. The finish is doughy with caraway. It's not terrible... I just had higher expectations.

Aroma - Initially, citrus, brown sugar, and spearmint dominate… As it develops, I detect faint notes of licorice and apples. Homemade rye bread (which was a childhood favorite of mine)… that rye bread aroma truly evokes a sense of nostalgia. I'm incredibly impressed by this scent. Taste - Citrus and Mint are upfront. Sweet cherries and bubblegum are present in the mid-palate, with a very subtle oak note on the finish. I'm finding a black licorice note at the back of the palate that continues into the finish. While not excessively complex, its balance and flavor profile are precisely right. The finish is of medium duration. Overall - This rye is sweet and remarkably well-balanced for a 95/5. It's highly distinctive and well worth the cost of entry. (Notably, no dill or pepper notes are apparent.) 4.30

The aroma has notes of oak, lemon, vinegar, pear, a hint of pickle, and perfume. The body has brine and salt. The pear flavor returns. There are also floral notes. The finish is creamy with baking spices. The pear flavor persists. It tastes like baking powder. This is a harsh rye. It's not among my favorites in the rye category, nor in the Origins lineup. It's acceptable, but unlike the bourbons, I don't think this is good enough to justify the $60 price tag.

Nose: begins with delightful citrus notes, a combination of orange and lemon peels, accompanied by subtle floral and herbal hints beneath the surface. Palate: Citrus notes continue at the front, followed by oily licorice, honey, and peppery flavors. Finish: A pleasant medium to long finish that is not overpowering.

Sweet caramel and cherry cola aroma with hints of smoke and leather. I also detect prunes. The sweetness continues on the palate with notes of anise, cinnamon, and cocoa. As the flavor develops, it reminds me of Good-n-plenty candy. It offers classic rye characteristics with a sweet intensity.