Doc Swinson's Alter Ego Single Barrel Select Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum Casks

This spirit is blended, finished, and bottled by Distillers Way, LLC, operating from an industrial warehouse in the Seattle vicinity. This company creates private label spirits for retailers like Total Wine, using distillates sourced from MGP and other producers. While I often approach store brands and single barrel selections with caution, this one is worry-free. This particular bottling features two distinct mashbills: the standard MGP mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, aged for 4 years – a common base for many rye offerings like Bulleit, Pinhook, and Redemption. This is combined with MGP's 'high corn' mashbill, consisting of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley, aged for 3 years. The actual aging takes place at MGP in Indiana. The precise blend proportions aren't disclosed, but it likely isn't a 50/50 split. I perceive a slightly stronger presence of the high corn distillate, though I cannot be certain. Distillers Way acquires surplus or non-selected barrels (those over-aged or not meeting the flavor profile for other clients) from distillers such as MGP, and then blends, finishes, and bottles them. This specific blend undergoes a finishing period in aged rum casks for an unspecified duration. As is common with many single barrel releases, it's bottled when the blender deems it optimal. It's becoming increasingly evident that aging and blending, rather than just the initial distillation (though still crucial), are where the artistry lies. Large producers like MGP achieve greater efficiencies, and for smaller operations, it's far less capital-intensive and simpler to establish a business when major suppliers provide the base spirit. An individual with a refined palate and skill can take the same distillate and create a vastly different flavor profile. I anticipate seeing more ventures like this emerge nationwide. This is a relatively small-scale operation, with only 8 barrels total for the winter 2019 release of this Rye, yielding approximately 300 bottles per barrel. My bottle (262 of 303) came from barrel 1 of 8. There's a pleasant, aromatic, spicy note at the forefront, but the mellow, caramel corn flavor comes through with subtle dark rum undertones in the finish. It's both approachable and slightly exotic, earning a Double Gold at San Francisco this year, which it rightly deserves. With only around 2400 bottles available nationally, it's expected to sell out quickly. If you spot a bottle at Total Wine, be sure to grab it. For under $30, it's a delightful and intriguing Rye.

Initially, the aroma is floral, with no discernible rum character. After sipping, the flavor profile reveals abundant spice, clover, subtle leather hints, and gentle oak. The rum's presence becomes evident in the finish, starting with a mild sweetness and leading to a prolonged spicy aftertaste with that classic aged rum funk at the end. Overall, it's a decent pour and a worthwhile purchase for $26.

The aroma has floral notes and a minor rye grain scent. One must search closely to find many fragrances. From the nose, the rum influence isn't really apparent. On the palate, there's some charred oak, and genuinely not a strong rum impact, suggesting it wasn't aged in rum barrels for a significant duration. A short, earthy finish. It's rather one-dimensional.

It has a nose with notes of fruit and herbs, reminiscent of orange soda and tea with milk. The entry on the palate is sweet and oily, with flavors of orange peel, allspice, and cinnamon, which become hot and spicy the longer it's held. The finish is spicy and long.

It hits you strongly like a quality rye, yet the rum cask imparts a pleasing sweetness, making it quite enjoyable.

Sweet, orange peel, grassy, banana, coconut, vanilla.