Blue Run Kentucky Straight Golden Rye (Batch #1)

Aroma: A strong scent of spearmint, black pepper, honey, and hints of vanilla – a nice, traditional rye start. Taste: A pleasant tart Granny Smith apple appears immediately, followed by peppery spice and spearmint. The mouthfeel is a bit thin, but it still coats the palate nicely. Finish: You get hints of orange peel and vanilla with more spice – it's quick but enjoyable. Overall: I think this is quite traditional and will satisfy rye enthusiasts. However, I suspect it has a relatively low rye content compared to others (around 51-55%).

Aroma: The minty scents are immediate. A slight hint of young grain, honey, and caramel. Palate: Spearmint and vanilla are the dominant flavors. It's a bit disappointing due to the lack of complexity and a somewhat diluted taste. Finish: There's an unusual earthy menthol flavor on the tongue that feels unfamiliar compared to other ryes.

Wow! Coming in at 95 proof this Rye is easy to drink. Wonderful sweetness followed by a lingering finish. This is not your dry run-of-the-mill rye. This has a wonderful oak and maple syrup taste. Some hints of banana and cherries. A totally different profile than cask strength rye.

Peppermint and baking spices on the nose. The palate is vegetal but subtle, followed by maple syrup and a touch of clove on the finish. I wish it lasted a bit longer, but overall, this is a really pleasant, mellow rye.

Sample provided by a friend. Drank it neat. The nose is sweet with a faint hint of ethanol. It starts sweet and finishes with a slight burn as it goes down. It feels thin. The finish is medium. I enjoy it but don't feel the price is justified.

This was not enjoyable. All three of my companions agreed it was bad, and none of us liked it. It has an unpleasant taste. It's far too expensive for its flavor.