Kindred Single Barrel Straight Rye

During a whiskey tasting event at Total Wine, featuring Irish, rye, Japanese, and two each of Scotch and bourbon, the second offering was Kindred rye. While examining the label, I noticed it was distilled and bottled in St. Petersburg, FL. Coincidentally, I was planning a visit to St. Pete the following week and looked them up. The Kozuba family has an interesting distilling history originating from Poland, and they brought their still, which is a work of art. This is a young rye, but the flavors have developed well. The aroma is of peppery marshmallow with a hint of green apple, which carries through to the taste, followed by a smooth, short finish. It's one-dimensional but enjoyable. This young spirit drinks much older, and I enjoy it. Perhaps their unconventional aging process in climate-controlled warehouses contributes to this. They also produce a bourbon aged this way, which I found undrinkable, but it seems to work for the rye.

A wheated rye that starts dry and sharp, transitioning to a smooth and sweet finish. An excellent and affordable addition to any home bar.