Kentucky Owl 10 Year Rye (Batch #3)

I typically take my time sampling half a bottle over several months before reviewing. So, consider this an immediate assessment. I opened this bottle less than a month ago, and it's become my go-to drink. I have a large collection of open bottles, yet I find myself reaching for nothing else unless it's for comparison to this particular owl. And yes, right now, I prefer this over a specific high-end rye, side by side, without any hesitation. That other rye seems simplistic compared to this wise owl. If I were to receive a gifted bottle of whiskey and could choose between another bottle of that other rye or another bottle of this Kentucky Owl Rye Batch #3, despite the other rye being twice the price, I would easily select the owl. My taste buds are experiencing a major shift. A few months back, I would have stated that I don't favor rye whiskey. My preferences are malt whiskies, then mezcal, followed by rum, then bourbon, then cognac/Armagnac, and lastly rye. I thought I disliked the characteristic rye spice profile; it seemed inexpensive. The 'ryes' I did appreciate required enhancement through wood finishing or blending techniques: specific examples include Bourye, Midwinter's, and The Boss Hog. What I disliked about most ryes was the intense burst of rye spices at the beginning. It felt like an unrefined, common whiskey. It's all about the sequence, and the spices should appear later. With this owl, there's rich cherry, raspberries, doughnuts, and cake greeting you at the start of this whiskey's narrative. The full spectrum of rye spices follows. Dill, clove, coriander, and a touch of menthol build towards a long finish. The taste of rye lingered in my mouth even after brushing my teeth. I could still recall the flavor the next day. This whiskey is intricate. If you cover your glass and step away for an hour, it transforms into dark, rich chocolate with an umami broth. The harmony between the spirit and the oak is flawless. The aging is noticeable and appreciated. I dislike the typical nuttiness found in overly young bourbons or ryes. There's no nuttiness here, yet also no bitter oakiness. Nowadays, peat rarely excites my sense of smell or taste. I can enjoy a specific peated scotch or another as a warm-up drink. I miss the days when I could still detect the smoke after brushing my teeth. But now, I feel as though I've discovered an entry into an exciting new range of flavors that will persist, perhaps due to novelty, but I suspect there's genuine inherent quality to this whiskey as well. My scoring system is capped at 3 stars, though I've awarded a few single malts 4 stars. I will, for the moment, keep this one at 3 stars, primarily because I'm new to this flavor profile and my perception might change as I explore more ryes. However, I feel as I did many years ago when I first tried a particular peated scotch, which, as someone once remarked in a song, albeit about a different subject than whiskey: 'Put it in my mouth.' Score: *** (she said put it in her mouth) How Much Does a Bottle Cost?: $170-230 How Much Do I Think a Bottle is Worth?: $410

Kentucky Owl often divides opinion. It's commonly felt that the bourbon is excessively expensive. While the first batch of rye was generally well-received, the second batch garnered little praise, likely exacerbated by a price increase. I usually appreciate the Kentucky style of rye, particularly the aged versions, so I was eager to try this. A local shop I frequent had Batch 3 available near its suggested retail price, prompting me to purchase a bottle. I've sampled this several times now, having consumed about two-thirds of the bottle with a friend during our get-togethers. I decided it was time for a review while I still have some left. Nose - Features oak, vanilla, leather, toasted rye bread, chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It's not incredibly complex but is genuinely enjoyable. The rye characteristics aren't very prominent on the nose, but they are certainly present. Palate - The texture is somewhat oily, certainly not watery. It begins with brown sugar, vanilla, and dark chocolate, transitioning to greener notes of rye and spearmint, alongside some cinnamon and allspice. The finish is prolonged, with those green rye notes persisting alongside oak and a hint of caramel. Oak is evident throughout, but it never becomes overly tannic or harsh. I'm very fond of this. It's easily among my preferred ryes I've encountered. If I had to find a minor flaw, I might wish for slightly more rye character on the nose to boost its complexity. However, the palate delivers everything I desire in a rye. Another favorite of mine is Wild Turkey Cornerstone. In a recent direct comparison, Cornerstone had a slight edge on the nose, but the palate of KY Owl was preferred enough to make it the overall winner. I tasted Willett 10yr Rye at a restaurant some time ago, and from what I recall, this batch of KY Owl is comparable. I definitely like it more than Michters 10 Rye, TH Handy, and Lock Stock & Barrel 18 yr. So, is it too expensive? Well, I'd prefer it cost less; however, I don't regret buying it and am seriously considering getting another.

Enjoyed neat, straight from the bottle. I'm in Chicago for another visit. A certain liquor store always stocks a particular rye. I almost purchased it last year but opted for four different random bottles instead at the same price... a big misstep as all the bottles I acquired were just okay. I would have preferred quality over quantity. Not making the same error this time! I also sampled another rye a few days ago to create a useful comparison. This aroma is much better right away compared to that other rye. A top layer of smoke over a pastry. It reminds me of a dish a friend's parent used to prepare for us during childhood sleepovers. I believe she referred to it as 'Monkey Finger'? Similar to cinnamon rolls topped with a sweet cream frosting. It's starting to reveal lots of orange and vanilla too, quite like a popular ice cream treat. A pleasant oak presence. Plenty of clove emerges. The longer it sits, the deeper and richer it becomes. I'm delighted with this nose. Rich and creamy texture. Not as immediately impactful in flavor as the other rye. It's a more subtle experience. Orange zest and vanilla on the tongue with undertones of cinnamon and clove. Oak possesses a deep character. Mid-palate, things become more vibrant than anticipated. The orange and vanilla really intensify. Then, the oak leaves behind a lovely velvety layer of chocolate from the middle of the palate through the finish. Following that, it's all orange, citrus, rye spice, pepper, and vanilla on the finish. The taste lingers for a significant duration. It's an incredible pour. I'm going to rate it slightly below the other rye I recently had. The flavors offer a more understated, gentle experience in contrast. The aroma is what truly stands out above the taste. It's a nearly perfect nose that suggests more flavors than the mild experience it ultimately provides. Still very enjoyable and now a top-tier rye in my collection (assuming it lasts through the rest of this trip).

Possesses considerably more complexity than the standard Kentucky owl. It's somewhat smoother, with less burn, and offers some intriguing characteristics. I detect a dark chocolate and molasses tone, along with some fig and licorice in the middle. It concludes nicely with a kick, a pleasant yet tolerable spice that encourages repeated tasting to discern the cooled flavor profile. This is one of the more engaging bourbons available. It's not as familiar as a weller reserve, nor as smooth as an EH Taylor single barrel, but it has a softer and more intricate flavor profile than a top-tier Handy Sazerac. In this instance, I would absolutely prefer this over a rare Sazerac or small batch EH Taylor. It surpasses them in every way. However, it's not superior to a single barrel. It's distinct; this is essential to complete any bourbon collection.

You don't necessarily need this bottle, but it's quite good. The aroma is dominated by vanilla and clove, with abundant notes of pickle and spearmint. The taste has a vibe of boutique chili powder-infused milk chocolate. A foundation of cinnamon cake underlies the 'spicy chocolate'. This 57% rye, while not the 'Wise Mans Rye' at its price point, would likely compete with or even surpass other ryes presented blind. I acquired this for a special occasion, a justification aimed at my wife, but it's not worth causing a domestic issue. Scoring Guide: 5.0 - Purchase every bottle you can find. 4.0 - Acquire at least one bottle before you pass away. 3.0 - A solid offering, definitely worth trying at a bar or sampling from a friend. 2.0 - I didn't enjoy it, but you might. 1.0 - Your palate is likely comparable to my dog's, and he licks himself inappropriately.

To begin, I must state this is an outstanding rye. It's very herbaceous, featuring notes of green pepper, dill, oregano, and rosemary, balanced nicely by sweet caramel and vanilla. A hint of licorice emerges, and the finish brings sweet oak, cherry cola, and a lingering menthol warmth in the chest. It skillfully balances sweet and earthy elements. It strongly resembles a certain four-year-old rye. Based on this initial taste, I'd favor that rye due to its accessibility and cost compared to this one.