Noble Oak Double Oak Rye

The 'Product of USA' label is accurate, as it's distilled in Indiana. Noble Oak is reportedly finished twice, first in a second port stave cask, then in a standard new charred American white oak barrel. This process results in some fine work on what is otherwise fairly average MGP rye. As many are aware, MGP can produce excellent spirits, but this seems more like their standard offering, perhaps less diluted and with an extra finish. The aroma reveals the port's red sugars, and any youthful or green characteristics are well concealed. I won't directly claim it's very similar to Basil Hayden's Dark Rye, but it truly is, which is a positive for me as I enjoy that wine-treated rye. It also offers other pleasant sugar notes alongside the port, like a brown sugar candy flavor, almost reminiscent of 'Bit-O-Honey'. The finish is a nice, straightforward hint of dill-rye spice burn, and nothing more, which is 'good enough'. If this bottle costs about half as much as Basil Hayden's Dark, which is admittedly superior, it still provides value at a good price. Overall, I'd recommend it, depending on your preference for finished ryes and your budget. Cheers!

These notes are from a blind tasting (Flaviar Advent Calendar). The aroma is butterscotch, vanilla, honey, and a fresh, clean mint spice. The smell is really pleasant. The taste is sour banana, tart cherries, and a strong waxy feel, but you can also detect a mild bitter waxiness. Some sour dried red fruit and spiciness are present. The finish is medium to long, with sour red fruit and spice lingering the longest. This is the second vial in a row from this advent calendar to have a strong waxy quality. While some might like that, it's not a characteristic I prefer in whiskey. The sour fruits and spice were nice, but the waxiness detracts from the experience for me. Overall Grade: C (Average)

A beautiful mahogany color. Allspice, toffee, and sweet red wine aromas are present, along with some menthol I could do without. The port barrel aging is immediately noticeable. Rye spice, honey, and maple follow quickly. It's not much better than the first time I tried it and seems more like a novelty rye than anything else. This finishes with a bit of a kick. It travels up my throat rather than burning on the way down. I still think I'd only use it for mixing. Disappointing overall.

An elegant American Rye Whiskey from Noble Oak Distillery in Ohio. It's aged for at least 1 year in White Oak casks and then finished with Port Wine staves, bottled at 48% ABV. A tree is planted for every bottle sold. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of grain, wood, herbs & spices. Its complex development adds hints of anise, allspice, menthol, toffee, maple, Rye spice & bell pepper. This leads to a balanced & warming conclusion of medium length, featuring notes of vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon & almond cookie. December 2022

Color: Chestnut. Aroma: Red wine and freshly-stained wood, with a dry, spicy cider quality. Taste: Rare pork chop with cinnamon-spiced baked apples. Nutmeg, gingerbread, and raisins linger. Finish: Some maple and shortbread, but rather dull. Diluted: The aroma is spongy and sweet, like coffee cake. Slightly more vanilla and less spice on the palate, but the finish is weak and powdery - this is really quite good for the price, but its conclusion is hard to overlook.

I had the chance to sample this at a bar. I'd never encountered it before and decided to give it a try. Served neat in a glencairn glass. Well, I'll be brief with my assessment. It was dreadful. The aroma was simply caramel with nothing else. The taste was like oak, but a bad, burnt oak, and the finish was terrible. Have you ever accidentally tasted bourbon right after brushing your teeth? That's what it was like. Absolutely dreadful. In summary, I'd steer clear. You aren't missing anything.