Elijah Craig Toasted Rye

Tasted neat. Deep, dark rosy brown color with good coating legs in the glass. The nose offers rye toast with sesame seeds, maple syrup, and fresh sweet grass. On the palate, sweet agave and maple syrup, cherry, dried fruit, charred oak smoke, grassy mint and rye spice, cinnamon, and a hint of ethanol in the background. It has a rich, viscous coating mouthfeel, and a good harmony between sweet, spice, and oak. The finish is toasty with light smoke and tannic char flavors lingering, accompanied by a soft yet noticeable mouth tingle. A touch of dried sweet-sour cherry appears at the end.

Poured an hour after Still Austin Cask-Strength Rye, Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Rye and Sagamore 7-Year bonded, this seems rather subdued (obviously). Curiously, the aroma and taste have developed characteristics of toasted scotch, with a faint trace of marshmallow at the very end. At its "modest" price of $49.99, it warrants the chance to explore the subtle flavors (Famous Grouse!?!?!) within the Elijah Craig profile... It indeed surpasses the toasted bourbon in both taste and lingering sensation... however, it is quite standard (having seen it priced as high as $64.99). For an extra ten dollars, the Still Austin and Sagamore are better in every way, and present difficult choices when viewing all three side-by-side on the shelf. Consider supporting the "craft" distilleries alongside major brands like Heaven Hill... those who appreciate rye are entering a new era of readily available quality, and ECTBR is certainly a dependable option from beginning to end.

Nose is rich and full with notes of wintergreen, basil, toasted rye, earthy damp cellar/root vegetable, brown sugar, oak, vanilla custard, and ginger root. Quite enjoyable. The ethanol level is appropriately low. Palate presents the brown sugar from the nose, ginger snap, black cherry, fig, mint chocolate, nutmeg, oak, barrel char, and toasted coconut. The flavors are nicely robust for the proof. It's quite unusual for a rye, but delicious. Finish is medium in length and includes smoke, toasty oak notes, black peppercorn, cinnamon, and orange zest. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and creamy. This is a winner. The combination of sweet and spicy is masterfully executed here. I admit I'm raving a bit, but this outperforms many whiskeys costing twice as much. At $54.99, it represents incredible value, and I plan to purchase several more bottles before its quality becomes widely known.

The aroma begins with charred wood, stone fruit, and earthy rye spice, followed by subtler hints of vanilla and brown sugar in the background. Faint traces of brine also emerge, which is quite intriguing for this. The taste is mellow and spicy, with a slightly chewy texture. An immediate rush of creamy oak and rye spice blends together perfectly. This is exceptionally smooth to drink, presenting all the expected notes of a classic rye, but with added depth and softness. The toasted finish truly enhances the experience. Toasted spirits are most enjoyable when kept straightforward and tasty. The finish is medium in length and a bit chewy, with oak and spice lingering in the mouth. It's very inviting, with flavors that seem to persist between sips.

Aroma: Eucalyptus, baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, followed by charcoal with a subtly sweet and almost juicy note concealed behind it. Palate: Sharp, slightly herbal notes leading to warm, sweet molasses that hints at stewed fruit but never fully delivers, with a rather woody finish. It's not a bad drink at all, but it lacks complexity and isn't as appealing as its bourbon counterpart. It's quite enjoyable, but I was personally let down, as I favor toasted bourbon while typically preferring the complexity of ryes; however, this was just a bit too simple, lacking significant influence from the toasting process. Worth trying, but better options exist for $50; I'd buy it if found at a lower price.

Nose- pronounced rye bread and caraway seed. It has a doughy characteristic. Palate- the aroma is reflected in the taste, with an additional subtle dill note. I also detect some smokiness before it becomes a bit underwhelming. Finish- it's medium to long but lacks complexity. The rye seed flavor dominates. Overall- a pleasant rye at a reasonable cost. I'm curious how it would taste at a higher proof? It's missing richness. For the price, it's a very good introductory rye.