Bone Snapper Rye Whiskey Single Barrel

Lovely photograph of a watch, brilliant. Barrel selection from The Party Source Distilled date: SEP2014 Bottled date: NOV2021 Age: 86 months Bottle number: 133 of 147 Proof: 119.8 ABV: 59.9% Wow, this genuinely seems exceptional right from the start. This lesser-known distillery has been appearing frequently for me lately, and while I've only sampled a barrel selection of their Backbone bourbon, which I greatly enjoyed, this rye has me even more enthusiastic. An absolutely excellent starting point with over 7 years of aging, which is quite substantial for a rye compared to the typical minimum desired for a bourbon. It makes me curious about when the distillery usually releases Bone Snapper barrels for selection, and whether The Party Source had this particular barrel in mind for a long time, or if they selected it for other reasons, potentially overlooking even older barrels. Regardless, with the proof, age, and a delicious 95% rye mash bill confirmed, let's proceed. The color is truly lovely, almost a copper-scarlet hue throughout, largely attributed to extended barrel time, but also suggesting a selection of heavily charred barrels, which is promising. Classic scents of cinnamon, mint, grass, and freshly cracked rye combine with a fairly noticeable sweet vanilla, spiced oak, and, inexplicably, citrus peels. Nothing on the nose is unusual, though these classic notes are outstanding, especially with the ethanol present but not overwhelming. The initial taste is not particularly impressive, serving mainly as an acclimation. Before discerning specific flavors, the whiskey feels "warm," even though it's slightly below room temperature, a sensation typically associated with rye affecting the gums. It takes a moment, but light cinnamon then emerges as the first tasted note. This is initially underwhelming until an explosion of spicy, minty grass transforms the palate, intensely flavoring the tongue, gums, and even teeth, like a fuel-air explosion. This naturally results in a very hot, sticky finish (my preferred type), but it seems to originate from a high-quality batch of fresh rye rather than just the proof. I would strongly advise against using this in cocktails; its base flavors are too subtle to make a significant impact, and the finish would either overpower or be lost among other ingredients. However, it's only moderately enjoyable neat, primarily due to the finish. I am confident that adding a few drops of good quality water would significantly improve it in all the right ways, and although I don't officially rate modified spirits, I am very eager to pour another glass. I will definitely monitor this distillery for future offerings, as their flagship bourbon and rye whiskey meet and exceed classic flavor profiles and expectations.

Single barrel store pick from Pitch restaurant, Scottsdale AZ. 100.6% ABV, aged 9 yrs 11 months. As a fan of Bonesnapper X-ray, I’m curious. Nose provides everything I seek in a rye; poppyseed muffin, lemongrass, caraway seed, snickerdoodle cookie, mint, thyme, and dusty oak. Ethanol is pleasantly low. Palate precisely matches the nose. Simply refer to the above. Flavors are well-balanced and integrated, with no single element dominating. Delicious. Finish is tasty but strangely short with lemon zest, white pepper, and peppermint. Some lingering sweetness from the palate prevents it from becoming harsh. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and very oily, which truly elevates this to another level. I'm going to be candid; I usually prefer my ryes 110+ proof and I want them to be intense. This is more of a gentle touch. But for a mid-proof rye, there's much to appreciate here. Not only does it lack any major flaws, it's nearly exceptional. I paid $90 for this and considering the age statement, that seems quite reasonable. There's only one minor issue: I can get the bolder, higher-proof X-Ray for $54 and honestly, that's exactly what I will do in the future. That said, this definitely doesn't suck.

Neat. First pour. Gallenstein selection, 120 proof, 6-year-old MGP. The aroma is classic MGP rye, nearly identical to a Rossville I possess. Rye, dill, and mint are prominent. A delightful rye bread note is present. Hints of pear and vanilla emerge as I let it sit. The nose is intriguing, shifting between light and dark notes with each whiff. Incredibly oily and viscous. It coats the palate thoroughly. This is truly excellent. It instantly ignites the tongue with dark maple and pepper. Then, a lovely vanilla and pear note follows. It concludes with rye and a touch of dill. This is top-tier MGP rye. The legs are persistent, and the vanilla lingers. It's hard to believe this is 120 proof. I believe it could easily be mistaken for 100 proof. I'm impressed by this selection. It surpasses the Rossville (non-store pick) I own. I'm not typically fond of the dill note in MGP rye, but this has enough complexity and character beyond it to win me over on the first impression.

Aromas of caramel, tobacco, cardamom, anise, and bubblegum. I'm not a big cigar enthusiast, but this brings to mind a nice cigar. Chocolate rye malt licorice flavor with burnt sugar and caramel on the finish. Medium burn with a pleasant lasting finish. Truly a big flavor explosion. Overall, very nice.

Great warmth and spice. Rich texture. I love it

Intense heat that persists.