Minor Case Straight Rye Sherry Cask Finished

Mild rye. Smooth, easy sipper with a barely noticeable peppery finish. A good starting point for those wanting to explore rye whiskey. 9/24/22 - Included this bottle in a Rye Whiskey Tasting I hosted, for two reasons really. First, to see if the flavor profile had changed since the initial pour from the bottle, and to see how it held up against some more popular rye whiskeys. So, as to the first question, it hadn’t changed much. Still very mild and approachable, with just a hint of the peppery (or is it cinnamon red-hot?) rye spice I enjoy. I get more of the sherry finish and fruity notes, than anything. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just different from the other ryes on the bar top this evening. Long story short, it stands on it’s own, and tastes like I feel it was intended to taste, a different, less spicy expression of a rye whiskey.

A new "cocktail" I invented featuring Minor Case Straight Rye: "The Deluxardo" - 2.5 oz. Minor Case Straight Rye - 2-3 dashes orange bitters - 1 Luxardo cherry Serve over a very large ice cube. I finished my nearly full bottle of Minor Case drinking this with 2 other buddies last night. The Deluxardo pairs nicely with cigars, fire pits, and competitive axe throwing and wood chopping. Minor Case is a great pour served neat as well, but something about the Luxardo cherry and orange bitters really elevated this for me. They complemented the rye's sweet spiciness really well.

An intense Straight Rye Whiskey from Limestone Branch Distillery in Kentucky, aged at least 2 years in new American white oak casks, then finished for 8 months in a cream sherry cask before being bottled at 45.0% ABV. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of grain, wood, fruit, summer flowers, herbs & spices; followed by a bold middle with notes of cherry, raisin, caramel & sherry; culminating in a warm & spicy finish of medium length with notes of oak & rye spice. January 2024

I think this is a success! Had this as a post-race tasting first and was impressed then. Got myself a bottle to confirm and wasn't disappointed. Very fruity aroma with plum, cherry, clove. The color is the only thing that suggests this is a two-year-old whiskey. I definitely get plenty of sherry and mild pepper. I love the finish too. It gets a little bitter at the very end that is almost like citrus rind.

The aroma is quite similar to the flavor notes. Rye spice, pepper, some fruit, and a medicinal cherry note emerges on the finish. The spice is present without being overwhelming. It's very smooth. But there isn't much happening on the palate.

The aroma is pleasing, dominated by cherries with some woody and rye/hay notes. The taste begins sweet, woody, and grassy, then, a few seconds later, it's all fruit/cherries. While not the most complex for sipping, it would be exceptional in various cocktails, like an Old Fashioned.