Midway Distilling Company Rye Whiskey Finished in Vermouth Barrels

Batch 3, Bottle 329. My second purchase from Bluegrass Distillers on a recent trip, this was my top pick among their rye whiskeys. I appreciated the distinctive barrel finishing used across their entire line, techniques I've rarely seen other distilleries employ for any spirit, let alone whiskey. My companion, who favors wine over spirits, particularly enjoyed the sauternes finished rye, noting the secondary cask imparted familiar flavors for him. The connection between Bluegrass Distillers and Midway Distilling Company remains unclear to me, especially since all Midway ryes are sourced from MGP and bottled in Lexington, with a future move to Midway, KY planned. Nevertheless, as I frequently make Manhattans, this was an immediate favorite, and I'm eager to experiment with proportions and additions tonight. The color is remarkably deep for a 5-year-old, likely influenced by the secondary barrel; a subtle ruby or maroon tint seems present, though it could be psychological. The aroma is potent yet surprisingly restrained for 110 proof. It evokes the components of a well-made Manhattan: deep, dark Luxardo cherry, a bitter and floral fortified sweet wine, along with cinnamon and grassy notes from the rye. Additional hints of damp earth, milk chocolate, and a touch of leather are detectable, painting a clear cocktail image. The initial taste is quite fiery, offering notes of damp earth and mushroom, but the intensity obscures other flavors at first. With further sips, a milder oak, neither fully toasted nor heavily charred, emerges alongside classic grassy and extra-spicy cinnamon notes. The rye's spice extends to the gums, concentrated at the front of the palate rather than spreading throughout. The earthy character persists, with floral and more intense botanical notes vying for attention but ultimately subdued by a powerful, spicy, ethanol-driven finish. Perhaps my palate was already adjusted from prior samples at the distillery, but the body of this spirit is almost too intense and potent to savor neat. It's still a very enjoyable rye (MGP truly knows how to craft a proper rye whiskey), and the finishing barrel's influence is evident (as with the rest of the Midway range). However, the price point makes it difficult for me to repurchase readily. I'd feel more justified purchasing this to support a small distillery, but I could acquire excellent MGP rye from numerous other sources for considerably less, though without the finishing barrels. I anticipate Bluegrass/Midway/whatever they're called will continue this line with their own distillate and am excited to see what other casks they might use for finishing. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to crafting many Manhattans with it, or perhaps just adding an ice cube to mellow its intensity.