Boone County Small Batch Rye

This makes me quite happy. It feels like ages ago, but I just confirmed it was only March of last year that I was at the distillery, and tasted the 1833 bourbon and the rye new make. Having thought the rye was easily in my top 3 favorite rye whiskeys, even being unaged, I followed Boone County closely in anticipation of the aged product. I recall them saying it had already been aging for a few years and would be ready soon, so I waited. Today, I gleefully discover it has a minimum age statement of 5 years, so my very high expectations will hopefully not over-judge what I'm sure will be a good product. Intriguing rye spice on the aroma, with a perfect balance between cinnamon, herbaceous notes, mint, and a touch of candy sweetness. This doesn't feature prominent barrel spice, but rather oak spice instead of the typical vanilla or caramel. There's a slight ethanol sting, too much for being only around 90 proof, but I truly hope this won't detract from the experience. The flavor profile took more unexpected turns than I anticipated, but all were welcome. The initial taste on the cheeks and front of the tongue is young grain, but given that this grain is rye, it contributes to the profile that will soon transform. As I open my mouth for some air, the cinnamon and spice take center stage, introducing a pleasant warmth, but not so much as to shy away. The oak is also perceived at this point, but again, more of a woody spice than the sweet char that is commonly expected. The candy, sugary sweetness defines the finish, still resting on a decent cinnamon undertone from before. Alright, this is good, and what I anticipated not only from Boone County, but from a proper rye whiskey. That being said, this also isn't extraordinarily different from some other quality rye whiskeys. If, however, you are a fan of Boone County and are closely monitoring their progress as they further develop their younger brand, this should also impress you as it did me. The price point is reasonable enough not to deter you if you know the brand, but they likely won't attract many new customers without a slight reduction. Overall, I'm pleased to have discovered this, and hope that I can not only purchase it again, but find it at a higher age several years from now.

I tried it neat after just opening the bottle. It's an MGP 5-year-old Rye at 90 proof, costing $40, which isn't the best value. The 4-year-old barrel-proof Old Scout Rye is $50, but I appreciate supporting Boone County, especially since the 1833 release. The aroma seems like a well-balanced MGP rye. Unlike some barrel-proof Ryes that can be overpowering, this one is accessible and flavorful. The taste profile is typical MGP rye, leaning towards dill and black licorice, but the blend is so good that these notes don't dominate as they usually do. There's a pleasant cinnamon roll with vanilla icing quality, reminiscent of Angel's Envy Rye, though it's not finished. It has a lot of pepper and rye spice. It's not as thin as I anticipated. It's quite oily without being thick, offering a neutral mouthfeel. The cinnamon and vanilla sweetness on the tongue transitions into a mix of black and red licorice. I detect an interesting grape note, and the finish is all rye with lingering spice. Overall, it's a well-balanced MGP rye. While 90 proof is usually low for my preference, this bottling delivers plenty of flavor, so I won't penalize it for that. I'd like to compare it to Bulleit 12-year Rye, which I don't currently have, but I suspect this one is better blended despite being younger. If I were introducing someone to MGP Rye for the first time, this would be my recommendation. The price is the only drawback. At around $30, it would be perfect, but at $40, it's getting close to the price of 4- or 5-year barrel-proof single barrels from Old Scout or Backbone. I'm impressed by the flavor intensity at 90 proof.

I acquired this bottle at the distillery a couple of months ago after an enjoyable tour and tasting. The white dog rye and bourbon didn't appeal to me. Their four-year-old rye showed potential, and their five-year-old bourbon could benefit from more aging. Boone County has a close connection with MGP, and I've sampled some of their single barrel offerings. Their eighteen thirty-three twelve-year-old was exceptional. Based on that experience and my appreciation for previous MGP bottlings, I selected a five-year-old single barrel rye. I brought the bottle to my son's house in Florida for us to taste and review. The nose was intensely aromatic with green apple, baking spices, and a hint of butterscotch. The 114 proof is deceptive, present but subtle, sneaking up on you. The flavor is a smooth rendition of the nose, remarkably easy to drink. It finishes with a pleasant, dry green apple that lingers. I left the rest of the bottle with my son, who absolutely loved it. I purchased another in mid-December, and he then informed my wife about the remaining portion. Since my wife was behind on Christmas shopping, she decided to gift my newly purchased bottle to our son. It seems I'll need to make another trip to the distillery. Next, I plan to try a seven-year-old single barrel wheated MGP bourbon.

I'm just starting my exploration of Rye whiskey. After sampling several others, I must admit, after about four neat drinks from this bottle, I'm not overly impressed. I really enjoy Boone County's bourbon selections, but this Rye doesn't quite hit the mark. The aroma is quite accurate, but something about the taste, particularly on the finish, is slightly off. It's not unpleasant, but it doesn't compare favorably to other Ryes. I'd choose Knob Creek, Bulleit, or Woodford over this.

A respectable MGP rye, yet it doesn't particularly stand out from other MGP ryes available. It's also a bit expensive for 90 proof. It's good, but I doubt I'll purchase it again.

Smooth, oaky, and a perfect blend of sweetness, spice, and bite. It also has some vanilla undertones. A truly solid rye.