Locke + Co Aspen Aged Rye

On the nose: It smells like a young, underripe rye. This is most likely due to my unfamiliarity with aspen wood and its aroma/flavor profile. A small hint of sweet vanilla. Taste: Initially spicy as it moves through the center of an aspen tree. Slightly floral, peppery, and a little bitter due to the aspen wood. Bitterness isn't bad! It's nice to allow the rye spice to express itself rather than being masked by oak. This is an engaging one. Finish: Spicy, slightly sweet, and a bit bitter and earthy from the aspen. It finishes almost earthy.

THIS IS SIMPLY A TERRIBLE RYE From a Flaviar sample box called "Spirit of the Rockies" (December, 2022), Sample B. Pour/color: a dense liquid that is medium gold in color. Nose: Smoky, deep grain with some earthy notes. First taste: Caramels are present, but barley flavor dominates and lingers with some grass/green notes. Finish: dull and not terribly complex. Score: 2

Nose - sharp rye grain and sweet vanilla, with herbal notes that are difficult to identify, likely from the Aspen wood Taste - sharp rye spice and mild bitterness from the wood, with some light sweetness Finish - dry and spicy, intriguing and unique

Woody scent. An interesting combination of spice with toffee and caramel. The finish also has some wood notes. Overall, it's decent but not exceptional.

I’ve gone through two bottles of this. The first bottle was batch one, and was the best rye I have ever had. The second was batch two and I will not be finishing that bottle.

On the nose, hints of vanilla and woody smoked spice. On the palate, notes of toffee and subtle floral notes emerge, finishing with a gentle spice.