High Bank Whiskey War Barrel Proof

My New Years mission to discover the ultimate expression continues (ha!). This bottle is from batch 44 and has a 116 proof. On the nose: caramel, sweetness, oak, and a hint of leather. On the palate: sweet ethanol, charred oak, followed by a slightly flat sensation. It's clearly young but shows considerable promise and is worth investigating. I was eager to sample this local distillery's offerings and finally secured a bottle. No regrets about this purchase, and I'm keen to observe this distillery's future developments.

Delicious stuff, the rye takes center stage on the tongue, with subtle fruit hints weaving in and out. I almost mistook this for something else. It drinks a bit lighter than its stated proof, and while the warmth stays, it’s less of a direct hit and more of a pervasive glow. A pleasant, comforting warmth. Quite spicy. Solid quality.

The aroma is agreeable but difficult to pin down, carrying a somewhat green, grainy scent. It's a high-quality rye flavor that truly emerges with a few drops of water. The proof is unexpected given how smooth it is. There's an almost bubble gum-like flavor present. The finish is lengthy and substantial.

The aroma of this spirit is detectable from a significant distance. It's surprisingly smooth given its strength. To be upfront, I'm not a major fan of blended whiskies, but this one is drinkable.

Intense at first sip, but softens as you continue to drink. A blend of Small Batch Rye and Small Batch Bourbons. Contains 80% Rye. From High Bank Distillery. It drinks like a Barrel Proof Rye.

A clear aroma, not sweet like many others. It's warm and smooth, remarkably so considering it's over 116 proof. You definitely notice it as it goes down. Very warming.