Old Pepper Single Barrel Rye

Barrel 1363. The aroma begins musty, then shifts to toasted rye bread and a hint of pine. It leaves decent legs in the glass. The palate attacks strongly with white pepper, gradually enveloping your entire mouth and lingering for a significant duration, particularly on the edges of your tongue. There's a subtle note of licorice, but the pepper completely overpowers it. I enjoy this, but it's one-dimensional. I allowed this to sit with some ice for a few minutes, as sometimes that helps reveal depth in whiskey. This did slightly reduce the pepper and allowed some rye flavor to emerge, but not enough to make it a sipper. This was a store selection and had been on the shelves for a while. I suspect that's why the price was so low ($32). I typically see these for the low to mid $40's. I believe this is a 95% rye from MGP, though I'm not certain. I've certainly encountered superior picks from Pepper, but I can't complain. I think this bottle is best suited for cocktails. As I consume more of this bottle, the pepper has subsided, and licorice and buttered rye toast have become dominant. I'm increasingly enjoying it. It's a fairly straightforward MGP 95% rye, but it meets all expectations.

I don't have much experience with Pepper, but a friend recommended this A&B store pick as a good bottle, so I bought one. As with all single barrels, they can vary, so keep that in mind while reading this review. The aroma is of traditional peppery rye. Nothing too remarkable. The first sip is definitely spicy. It has that subtle rye flavor in the background and a strong peppery kick. Subsequent sips reveal a hint of brown sugar on the palate. The finish is truly the most enjoyable part of this dram. After the overpowering pepper fades, a lingering note of freshly baked cinnamon muffin concludes what is otherwise an average pour. Overall, this isn't a whiskey I'd pour down the drain, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find another. For me, it's just another standard offering in the Rye category. I suggest you skip this one for something more interesting on the shelf.

This could be my new favorite rye! This Old Pepper Distillery Single Barrel Rye is a combination of MGP 95/5 and their own distillate. It spends 2 years separately in new charred American oak, then they are combined and finished at their distillery in KY for almost 2 years in toasted oak barrels aged for 24 months, and bottled at 110 proof. The outcome is an amazing rye that tastes much lighter than its proof and has a fantastic balance of sweetness and spice. It begins with notes of marshmallow, baking spices, and burnt caramel (crème brûlée), and concludes with oak spice, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and honey. Move over Michter's Toasted Barrel Rye, there's a new contender in the toasted barrel category! I'm still amazed I purchased this for only $40; I'll definitely be buying more!

Nose - A big, bright aroma of citrus and pine forest comes forward, followed by herbal and slightly medicinal notes with a soft, buttery oak undertone. Palate - Initial spice and a viscous mouthfeel, then the big, bright minty/citrus/pine flavor appears in the mid-palate. The finish is a bit abrupt, with a slight oak presence. Overall - The aroma carries through to the palate, and the robust pine and citrus experience is genuinely enjoyable. I wasn't expecting the viscosity this has, and my only criticism is the finish, as it doesn't leave much of an impression as it fades. A great rye pour nonetheless!

T.J.'s Market Store Pick: Nose: Rich, with a hint of clove. Palate: Spicy pepper that lingers on the tongue, leaving a tingle that almost reaches the nostrils. Finish: The aftertaste isn't prolonged and becomes slightly tart at the very end. This is one of those store selections where they aimed for a spirit with character, and this certainly has it. It's full-bodied with a 110 proof spice, yet not harsh. A perfect pour to conclude the evening, ideal for enjoying by a fall campfire.

Nose: This is overwhelmingly peppery. You're hit with black pepper and cinnamon, which then transitions to undertones of apple. Taste: This lives up to its name. Upon tasting, it feels like you've just used a pepper grinder in your mouth. There's a very subtle sweetness of brown sugar and apple. But this is definitely a rye that gives a strong finish.