Peerless Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye

110.7 proof, barrel/bottle S/N 160503107. The barrel is named "Lime Sherbert" and has natural hints of candied lime and shea butter. Signed by Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn. At the end of Operation Gateway 2021, Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn from Peerless hosted a booth during our "morale day," offering products for sale and complimentary samples. After conversing with him for many hours and persuading him to bring out the single barrel ryes (and one single barrel bourbon he opened just for me to taste at my inebriated request), I was very pleased to buy something since he offered to sign any purchase. As a gesture of appreciation for our team's hard work, I acquired this single barrel for $90. I may have shared this with nearly everyone on the mission while intoxicated, possibly leading him to extend the same discount to others who were not originally intended to receive it. I hope this wasn't the case, but regardless, I want to thank Caleb for his support of the military by providing generous amounts of free whiskey samples, including to myself, and for being such an engaging conversationalist while I rambled and endured the heat. It displays the same deep color and strong caramel note as the standard small batch. Oak dominates the aroma, appearing slightly more charred and aged than the previous small batch I tried, which also contributes a buttery quality from the wood, possibly accounting for the shea butter note mentioned at the distillery. There's a subtle hint of candied lime that I recognize is purely psychological and wouldn't normally be detected if not pointed out; this is more accurately represented by the grassy and cinnamon notes of fresh rye grain. The initial taste emphasizes the rye grain over the oak, with baking spices and bread combining on the palate, and cinnamon and a deep mint sensation reaching the gums simultaneously. It certainly doesn't present different flavor notes than the small batch I sampled, just at varying times and intensities. The finish still has a moderate spiciness and a slight buttery characteristic, similar to an oaked Chardonnay, but this is the closest I've come to a shea butter note, especially since I'm quite certain I've never consumed shea butter before. There are no discernible lime or citrus flavors. Another huge thanks to Caleb for this enjoyable experience; while I might not have lasted through over 20 beers, I feel like I won the night in my own way. I disagree with the tasting and profiling notes for this specific single barrel, but I am still happy to add my fifth signed bottle to my collection and to have obtained it at such a favorable price. I would absolutely never suggest buying a Peerless single barrel for the $135 MSRP under any circumstances, but if that doesn't deter you, I would definitely recommend trying all available single barrel options (the distillery seems the best place for this) before committing to such a significant purchase. Peerless will consistently produce excellent rye whiskey, but it will remain absent from my collection (aside from this memorable occasion) until the prices become more reasonable, and the brand's remaining air of pretentiousness diminishes.

Neat. Neck pour. Labeled “Apple Pie” from a specific store. This aroma is wild... I'm uncertain if it's positively wild. It aligns with the name “Apple Pie,” and I'm struggling to identify anything else. It's genuinely just cinnamon, apple, and crust. Honestly, I'd say it's more akin to pear pie. There's a tartness. I'm almost apprehensive about the taste... Average mouthfeel. Just cinnamon and apple. Nice rye spice and apple on the finish, which is reasonably long. My mouth even retains an apple aftertaste. This is unbelievable. It's simply apple. The more I drink, the less pie there is. Just apple. What an extraordinary single barrel. Months ago, a rye from this distillery performed well in a blind tasting I conducted. I finally purchased my own bottle, and it was clearly selected for its unusual nature. I'm astonished by the distinct apple flavor, but I likely won't drink this again. I plan to share it in samples and at tastings to gather other opinions. I'll use it to illustrate apple flavor rather than as a whiskey I want to consume. Strange.

Aroma: Oak, vanilla, and baking spice. Notes of brown sugar and honey are also present. Taste: A dry mouthfeel, with sweet caramel and brown sugar initially, followed by a hint of rye spice. Subtle herbal and floral notes emerge at this stage. Finish: Vanilla and oak are dominant. The rye spiciness is softened by notes of brown sugar and baking spices. It has many unfolding layers that persist as the finish lingers. Overall: A delightful and intricate bottle. A sugary sweetness balances the rye spice. This bottle offers a lot of everything – ample oak and vanilla from the barrel, caramel and sugary sweetness, rye spice, and dryness. An excellent addition to any collection, showcasing the brilliance of the distillery.

A single barrel selection from Costco, barreled on April 16th, 2016. The pour is a ruddy copper color with slow-forming legs that dissipate quickly. The nose is dominated by barrel influence, featuring cacao, ripe fruit, black cherry, and coconut flakes. The rye spice is present as a typical mustiness but isn't the initial aromatic impression. The palate is soft, leaving significant warmth behind. The mid-palate is primarily sweet, with notes of milk chocolate, cherries, and coconut. The finish is warm, spicy, and sweet, demonstrating excellent balance. Dry grains and cacao mingle with hints of mint and eucalyptus. I'm highly impressed; it drinks more like a well-aged, high-rye bourbon than what one might expect from a straight rye.

I purchased this on clearance for $50. It's about 6 years old and bottled at 113.6 proof. The nose features peanut shells, oaky vanilla, and sugar-crusted caraway seed. The palate is rich with vanilla and oak. Cinnamon candy and a very subtle herbal spice lead into the finish. The finish has a peanutty character. To me, it drinks more like a high-rye bourbon than a 95% MGP rye, but that aligns with typical Kentucky rye profiles. I generally prefer a higher rye content in a rye mashbill, but this is good and an excellent value at $50. However, I believe you can find better options for the usual price of around $100.

This 'Grapefruit Spritz' from 2022, bottled at 113.9 proof, was acquired in May 2022 during a trip. I consistently enjoy the products from this distillery, and this particular bottling is another success, though with a distinct profile. It features a grassy, herbaceous aroma and a slightly sharp sensation on the palate. The flavors echo the nose. While I anticipate it might evolve over time, it's still a worthwhile addition to any collection.