Hard Truth High Road Rye

I purchased this bottle for $45.99 at Kelly Liquors in the Mountain Run shopping center. The mash bill is 55% rye, 36% corn, and 9% sprouted barley, making it nearly a legal rye. This whisky is 93 proof and labeled as being 'over' three years old. It has a mahogany color in the glass. The nose presents honey butter with a generic floral note and a vegetal aroma reminiscent of mullein. The mouthfeel is creamy. On the palate, I immediately tasted honey with brown sugar and red pepper, followed by underlying oak and smoke, and then stronger notes of cinnamon and dark chocolate. The finish is unfortunately short but delicious, offering notes of red pepper, black pepper, and dark chocolate. Overall, this is an excellent whisky. While I wish the finish were longer, it tastes so good that I won't complain. This mash bill differs from the Sweet Mash Rye (96/4), resulting in a different flavor profile, and the lower proof contributes to a different experience. I'm undecided on which I prefer, though the higher proof might sway me toward the Sweet Mash. Regardless, this is excellent, and I will definitely repurchase it. My rating on my scale is 7 (Right Fine), equivalent to 4.375 stars, 87.5/100, or 8.75/10.

This is incredibly bad. It tastes like Windex. I don't usually pour drinks down the drain, but this one went down. Fortunately, it only cost $29.

A subtle sweet aroma, and while the flavor isn't intensely deep, it's smooth and consistent with the scent, making it a good introductory drink.

Acceptable taste