This is Batch 3, bottled at 105 proof (bottle 9084, to be precise). The aroma is dominated by herbal and grassy notes – plenty of mint and perhaps cardamom (suggesting a tea-like quality), along with hints of tobacco and hay, plus some youthful woody elements. It's interesting, though I find it somewhat lacking in overall harmony. I do appreciate it, but it presents a bit of a challenge, and while I usually enjoy complex spirits, this one feels more like work. The flavor starts with some light fruit notes before quickly becoming dry, finishing with notes of fresh cigar leaf... which was rather unexpected, as I anticipated a 'cigar' expression to be bold and comparable to a high-end cigar, but these are authentic tobacco flavors. It's not particularly sweet, with a touch of anise and a hint of cinnamon... and similar to the aroma, it's intriguing, but I'd say the flavor surpasses the aroma. The finish isn't very long; there's a good initial burst, but it quickly fades. In summary – a unique spirit that engages the senses, but it's one I'll likely reach for infrequently as there was no singular quality that captivated me, nor was it an easy-drinking spirit.
Buzzard's Roost Cigar Rye Straight Rye (2023 Release)
Whiskey Rye USA No age statement 52.5% ABV
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About this bottle
Cigar Rye, first introduced in 2019 as an experimental batch, returns for 2023 with a larger production run. Similar to prior releases, this bottling starts with a 4-year-old Indiana rye (95% rye, 5% malted barley). The whiskey then undergoes finishing in new American oak barrels that have been cold-smoked with aged tobacco leaves from Kentucky. It is bottled at 52.5% ABV and has been available nationwide since mid-October 2023. (SRP $75.99)
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 3 parsed reviews.
Similar to older MWND but with more intense flavors. Definitely superior to recent High West releases. It's like Christmas in a glass! I consider this an exceptional pour!
Bath #3 Bottle #13667 Proof 105 Spice from the rye hits first and then mellows into a full-bodied flavor. Hints of tobacco.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
