Lock Stock & Barrel 18 Year Straight Rye

Upon first opening this bottle, it was somewhat unimpressive, but after several servings, I realized I was too hasty with it; the glass requires approximately 15 minutes to aerate before truly revealing itself. My bottle is now about half full and seems to require less air to open up, but if you pour a glass and don't detect citrus, it's not ready; set it aside to breathe, as it's a bit reserved, but once that citrus emerges, prepare for an exceptional rye. The aroma begins with rich tangerine-infused caramel, accompanied by pine needles, then banana cream pie filling, followed by freshly baked pumpernickel bread, premium dark maple syrup that evolves into a trickling stream flowing over river stones, juniper berries, candied ginger, black pepper, leather, and freshly cut hickory burning in a fireplace, with a moderate alcohol presence. The taste has a viscous texture, starting with dark premium maple syrup over orange pancakes, then pine needles, followed by banana cream pie filling, then freshly baked pumpernickel bread that transforms into a trickling stream flowing over river stones, juniper berries, candied ginger, black pepper, spearmint, leather, and freshly cut hickory burning in a fireplace, with a moderate alcohol presence. The finish is extended, featuring tangerine caramel, pine needles, a subtle minerality, pumpernickel bread topped with whipped butter, baked pears, polished leather, and light oak. This is a rye masterpiece, starting with an aroma of citrus, forest floor, a creamy blend of fruit and syrup, baked pumpernickel bread, a hint of rocky minerality, and rye spices, with perfectly integrated wood that mirrors these notes on the palate, presenting a rich, creamy maple syrup mouthfeel devoid of spice until the moderate alcohol sting, which concludes with a long finish offering a perfect harmony of citrus, rye, minerality, and poached pears, compelling another sip. I chose to compare this directly with its younger counterpart, Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye, and the Lock Stock and Barrel 18 clearly accentuates the astringency and bitter flaws in the Alberta that have mellowed over its extended time in the barrel. At $230, it's a luxurious indulgence, but I can't identify a superior rye I've encountered, and I believe this can easily stand alongside or surpass some of the WhistlePig Boss Hogs I've sampled at double the cost.

Aroma: butterscotch, vanilla, anise, dark chocolate, peppermint, cherry, plum, clove, leather, allspice, orange, tobacco, marshmallow, toasted coconut, herbal notes, dry oak, walnut, with a noticeable ethanol sting. Palate: clove, orange oil, allspice, dark chocolate, butterscotch, anise, leather, baked apple, rich oak, black cherry, vanilla, bitter walnut, lemon, peppermint, with a noticeable alcohol bite, leading to a medium-long finish featuring dark fruit, chocolate, toasted oak, and rye spice. Is it 100% Canadian rye? Yes. Is it 18 years old? Yes, indeed. Is it over 100 proof? Absolutely. With those characteristics, I anticipate a winner even before pouring. Nevertheless, a glass must be poured, so here we are. The aroma is incredible, perhaps even sublime? Butterscotch, dark chocolate, and orange scents emerge, supported by a woody, herbal character. It evokes the sensation of smelling a moss-covered Werther’s hard candy discovered during a woodland stroll. The taste is robust, yet not excessively hot or immature. Dark fruits, more butterscotch, rich oak, and nuts dominate the palate. The lingering finish is beautiful, avoiding any disagreeable notes. This is an exceptional whiskey, easily the finest rye I’ve encountered. It decisively outperformed the most recent Boss Hog in a head-to-head comparison, which, admittedly, doesn't carry immense weight, but it's worth noting given their similar origins. The sole potential deduction is for a slight sharpness on the palate. It doesn't taste immature, but it's just a touch more forward in alcohol than absolute perfection would dictate. Therefore, while not flawless, it is remarkably close. A huge thanks to a friend for introducing me to this and providing the generous sample!

Orange, banana, vanilla, and butterscotch, all enveloped in a gentle oak embrace. More citrus than herbal notes. Creamy custard. This really started to impress me about halfway through the sample. I considered comparing it to one of my favorite, though significantly younger, ryes in my collection. Willett 4 year, which I quite like, tasted rather tart in comparison. Oaky-vanilla-citrus custard. A truly enjoyable pour, and once again, my thanks to a friend for the sample.

The nose is rich with rye and equal parts floral notes, plus ginger, baking spices, balanced by oak and vanilla. The palate is hot and peppery with strong cinnamon and rye, featuring charred oak and a hint of vanilla. The finish is long, with the heat persisting and cinnamon dominating the mouth over charred oak. This whiskey seems unfocused and somewhat muddled, which is disappointing for a spirit of this caliber.

Sip this neat and your initial reaction will be 'wow.' This is dynamically intense, hot, spicy, and alluring. It's certainly unique but absolutely worth trying. The aroma is deceptively simple and understated, spicy but not overwhelmingly so. That initial taste, though. Adding a splash (about half a straw's worth) truly transforms it. The spice shifts to the back of your cheeks, and the taste becomes warm, sweet, and somewhat earthy yet perplexing. I can't recall having a rye quite like this.

Pleasant aroma. Notes of gingerbread, butter, and brown sugar. It feels velvety on the palate. Extremely smooth, it doesn't feel like a 109 proof spirit. The aroma carries through to the taste. Exceptionally long finish. Excellent quality. 12/22/17 More than two years later... still exceptional. What an aroma, with notes of cacao nibs, fruit, salted butter, lambic, burnt sugar, and perfume. On the palate, it's spicier than I recall, yet still refined. Hints of dark cacao, slightly tart fruit, and a pleasant warmth. 4/8/2020