Hochstadter's Slow & Low Rock & Rye (84 Proof)

Appearance: Clear amber-gold Aroma: Oak planks, herbal notes, orange oil, aromatic bitters. It resembles a pre-mixed whiskey cocktail. It also oddly brings to mind young malt whisky aged in resinous first-fill bourbon casks. Flavor & Texture: A spicy-sweet arrival that intensifies on the tongue. Herbal, honey-sweet but not excessively so. The orange note is prominent on the palate, cutting through any heavy sweetness and eventually dominating the pleasant bittersweet finish. This is an acceptable whisky-based beverage, but I don't believe it accurately fits the classification of a liqueur. Liqueurs should be enjoyable on their own as an aperitif or digestif, irrespective of their use in other contexts, and they typically contain more sugar than this does. It's more accurately described as a "flavoured whiskey". While palatable neat, it is enhanced by serving with a large ice cube or a mixer like dry ginger ale. It's okay, but somewhat uninspiring, and I wouldn't purchase it. The official tasting notes are accurate, but I don't think this is worth anywhere near 88/100. Thanks to a friend for the tasting sample “Average”: 76/100 (2.5 stars)

From the label: “This spirit is smooth with subtle sweet tastes perfectly harmonized with lemon, grapefruit, and hard candy notes. A pleasant, lingering finish echoes honey, citrus, and a rye whiskey essence.” What a load of garbage. My actual notes: Nose: Citrus. Citrusy. Citrus. Palate: Citrus. Sugary citrus. Citrus. Did I say citrus? Finish: Brief. Sugary honeyed citrus. It's all citrus. Loads of honeyed sugary sweetness. Don't be duped into believing it resembles rye or has any rye characteristics. No heat, no grain, no wood. Just garbage citrus. I suppose the only positive is that the citrus is communicated effectively. I'm unsure how to fairly rate this as a whisky. However, I would not purchase it, and I could not finish my pour. That has never occurred before, so that is not a good sign, nor is the number of stars I award it (or the absence thereof). Credit for the citrus.

Color: Golden amber / Slightly orange Nose: Orange | Rock Candy | Honey | Angostura bitters Truthfully, it effectively captures the aromas of a classic Old Fashioned. A bit more orange than I'm accustomed to, but overall a good representation of the traditional cocktail. Palate: Syrupy texture with an accompanying medicinal cough syrup note on the initial taste. Orange, citrus, lemon, rock candy, and subtle rye spices. Generally similar to an Old Fashioned but artificially sweet. Finish: The sweetness overpowers the rye spice in the finish with notes of tangerine. No burn and not very lingering.

I sampled this spirit over the weekend and it's not for me. The bottle and label are appealing, but the contents are subpar. It has a sweet and slightly spicy character, though the harmony is off. My father and I tried it in various cocktails; it paired well with vanilla coke and was acceptable with ginger ale, but standard Rye mixed drinks were undrinkable. It's a gimmick product, really. If you enjoy it, great, but it won't be a frequent choice for me.

Initially medicinal, reminiscent of sweet lemon lozenges. Feels light and crisp. After some time, notes of graham crackers, cinnamon, and zested orange peel (like an orange pomander) emerge. With continued sipping, it brings to mind Froot Loops (!!) and orange Smarties. Overall, a delightful drink! It tastes bright and sweet. Straightforward. 🌞 A good pick for a quick cocktail.... Second tasting: Indeed. Strong Froot Loops (or perhaps "Fruit Loops"?).

This is not meant for neat drinking. I was under the impression it was a rye, but it seems crafted for mixed drinks. I tasted this at a gathering. The flavor lingers, and it's ruined my desire for whiskey for now. Once more, my situation might be peculiar, and I do appreciate whiskey, but personally, I'd steer clear of this entirely.