Corsair Ryemageddon

Rating: 17/23 I had this before and enjoyed it, so I purchased a bottle. I heard that the new Corsair's Dark Rye staple isn't as good, so I'm happy I secured this while it was still available. Nose: Rich and sweet with notes of buckwheat and chocolate. Some herbal character including a hint of dry reeds and mint. A touch of dusty earth and mild malt. It's somewhat reminiscent of Balcones Rye, but more cohesive, unified, and polished. A subtle layer of dry grain emerges from the earth. Palate: Mmm! Rich, sweet, yet still exhibiting rye characteristics. Plenty of malt, with a buckwheat-like quality that blends well with dry reed and grain flavors. Some spices emerge, including a slight kick. Black pepper, white pepper, ginger, and perhaps a faint hint of chili pepper. The earthiness is present enough to make the palate engaging, but not so much that it becomes difficult. There's a creamy, 50% dark chocolate flavor providing a rich foundation. Faint floral hints from rich vanilla. Certainly some herbal character, but not abundant. Enough mint to offer refreshment and remind that this is a rye, despite its maltiness. Finish: The earthy and spicy notes are most persistent. Some chocolate and vanilla remain as well. - Conclusion - This is somewhat unconventional, but mostly in a positive way. It's rich and has significant potential to appeal to both rye and malt enthusiasts. I believe this is at least a 16. It's not outstanding, though. An 18 is likely the highest I could rate this. Hmm, I'm leaning towards a 16 or 17. It's quite close. The argument for a 17 is the complexity. On the other hand, a 16 is supported by its distinctiveness. I think I'd rank this higher than Pikesville (16/23), but it's probably not quite as good as Whistlepig PiggyBack (17/23) and is comparable to Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye (17/23). It's a difficult decision, but I'm settling on a low 17 for this.

I was looking for a change and this distillery and whiskey are new to me. Big thanks to a friend for the sample! Smells awesome. It presents as young in some aspects: I detect sawdust and a hint of acetone. However, the more appealing elements are stronger: I notice uncooked strawberries, pine, honey, and tangerine. The palate is thankfully mature in flavor. I taste fresh flowers, strawberry, grain, and it evolves into jalapeño toward the conclusion. The finish retains the jalapeño, with little else. Potpourri. Mint. In certain ways, this resembles a scotch more than the ryes I'm accustomed to. Its flavor intensity is rather mild, and the sharpness is extremely minimal. A consistent vegetal characteristic runs through it, lending an earthy quality from beginning to end. When combined with sweetness, I perceive uncooked strawberries. When paired with spices, I get jalapeño. Even the mint note is more akin to a mint herb than a mint candy taste. It's intriguing… but I'd classify this as a rye for single malt enthusiasts rather than for typical bourbon/rye drinkers. I mean this in both a complimentary and critical sense. Most ryes I've sampled don't provide this spectrum of notes or even these types of flavors. Yet, it's also much milder and lacks the flavor impact I'd anticipate from a rye whiskey.

It has a pleasant, rich sea spray aroma, which is well-reflected on the palate. There's a definite chocolate richness that introduces sweetness. The spiciness comes through quite strongly but doesn't completely overpower the other elements. The mineral flavor is also quite prominent but blends nicely with the sea spray. It tastes rather mature despite its sweetness. Several components are present, though I wouldn't describe it as highly complex. This would be an excellent choice for cocktails but would also serve well as a sipper. It barely even tastes like rye, but some rounded fruit notes appear – apples, plums, and apricots. The current flavors are genuinely good and the overall result is well-balanced and slightly complex. There are some minor drawbacks with the mineral aspects and it could benefit from more richness, but this is a very good spirit. There's a nutty quality, like peanuts or perhaps cashews. With more aging, this could be exceptional.

On promotion for $35, a staff member convinced me to buy it. Served neat, the nose presents malted milk balls and melted fudgesicle surrounded by baking spice and subtle barrel notes. The palate is similar with hints of Nestle Quick, spice, and wood. Nothing extraordinary, but enjoyable nonetheless. It finishes long with diminishing chocolate and graham cracker alongside more spices and oak. It has an artificial quality, but I still appreciate it. It tastes somewhat like a Three Musketeers candy bar. I certainly wouldn't have guessed it was rye. It seems like a flavored whiskey but possesses a unique character that distinguishes it. I likely wouldn't buy it again, but I don't regret trying it.........71/100..........essentially, this is chocolate whiskey, for what it's worth; it's better than it sounds, and I imagine some will really enjoy it............alright, so if you've had a few drinks already, this is quite pleasant, but if you're tasting it sober, you'll be more critical because it's so distinctive.

The aroma presents notes of rye spice and chocolate, accompanied by a subtle hint of citrus. The taste follows with spice giving way to a sweet, malty chocolate profile. A vegetal quality is present, but the flavor harmony effectively mellows it. Recommended for rye enthusiasts looking for an innovative expression or anyone interested in a quality craft spirit.

[Appearance] Pale ale [Aroma] Tootsie roll, pickle juice, hints of vanilla, mole sauce, ethanol [Taste] Builder's tea, chocolate malt, chocolate biscotti, star anise, malt husk tannins, oak smoke, butterscotch [Finish] Medium length, sweet, toasted grains, mocha flavors [Mouthfeel] Light, sweet, milky