Buzzard's Roost Cigar Rye Straight Rye (2022 Release)

This rye, aged for four years and finished in American oak barrels smoked with aged Kentucky tobacco, comes in at 52.5% ABV. On the nose, expect butterscotch pudding, tangerine orange peel, and spearmint, leading into fresh pumpernickel bread and gentle pipe tobacco smoke. This evolves into baked cinnamon apples, nectarines, and slightly tart cherries, finishing with cloves, anise, and mild leather, accompanied by a moderate alcohol sting. The palate offers a medium body, beginning with creamy orchard fruit that quickly shifts to subtle spice. This spice mellows into butterscotch pudding, orange zest, and moderate spearmint. Notes of charred pumpernickel bread and noticeable pipe tobacco smoke follow, then baked cinnamon apples, nectarines, and candied lemon peel. The taste concludes with cloves, fennel, and espresso, along with a medium alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, starting with earthy spearmint and fennel seeds. This gives way to sweet and mildly sour citrus, before a hint of tobacco smoke and light leather. I'm genuinely pleased with how this turned out; the tobacco elements contribute extra dimensions to a slightly tart rye that tastes older than its four years. The smoke is subtle on the nose but prominent in the taste and finish, harmonizing effectively with the classic rye characteristics that compelled me to keep sipping until the sample was depleted. For about $70, this represents good value for a distinctive and tasty rye. Thank you to a friend for the generous sample.

Phenomenal. The tobacco taste comes through well, providing herbal notes that mellow the spice.