Proof & Wood The Stranger 7 Year Polish Whiskey

The aroma is intriguing and bold, featuring notes of toasted rye crackers, caraway, gingerbread, dark chocolate, fennel, white grape, and cinnamon. A musty vegetable root scent is also present. The alcohol sting reappears, somewhat detracting from the overall impression. The taste is very bread-like, almost like raw flour, with Lemonheads candy, spearmint, a paste-like taste, uncooked potato, and a hint of floral (jasmine?). The unity suggested by the nose devolves into a peculiar, disjointed flavor disaster. The medium finish provides grape must, cocoa dust, spice, and earth. A woody characteristic emerges with significant harshness, resembling tree bark. It concludes dry and clean with a fizzy mouthfeel, yet it's excessively gritty, making it feel like consuming coarse grain sandpaper. Truly terrible. I haven't tried a "Polish rye" prior, but if this represents the style, I'll pass. It's just a peculiar taste and the more I drank, the more the unpleasant notes intensified and the rough mouthfeel seemed to abrade my palate. I spent $80 on this, and it's nearly undrinkable. One of my worst scores.

Pure amber color. Nose: A mild, clean rye aroma. Warm, underlying spices. There's another scent present, bready, specifically like rye crusts. White grape sweetness emerges at the end. The aroma is potent, reaching my senses before it even touches my lips. Palate: Spicy, yet again, there's a noticeable difference. Excellent rye crust, caraway, and dark caramel. In some respects, it's quite savory with a buttery quality. The texture is thin to medium, with the sweet and savory caraway seed baked and settled. Herbal and floral rye notes linger on the tongue, lightly coating the entire palate. Finish: Sweeter and fruitier than the nose or palate, bringing forth apricot jam and toasted nutmeg. Overall: If you require evidence of how different grain varieties taste, look no further. My appreciation grew with each sip. It's distinctly a departure from my usual preferences. I'm eager to revisit this repeatedly alongside other ryes and in a rye-forward mixed drink like a Manhattan. This was highly enjoyable to consume, and I recommend it if you can find it.

Nose: The Bourbon barrels announce their presence immediately with sweet vanilla and caramel interacting with a blend of oregano, thyme, and tarragon, plus a sprig of mint. Neither element dominates. Closer inspection reveals some peach and plum fruitiness. Palate: Medium viscosity with a slight alcohol sting. Caramel initially coats the palate but is swiftly replaced by a robust punch of rye spice. The complexities noted on the nose are somewhat muted on the palate, but it remains enjoyable. Finish: Fairly long. Sweet and spicy, with a somewhat drying sensation. Summary: This expression was quite potent initially, but after a few pours and a few weeks, it has mellowed considerably. Being exclusively aged in used oak, I anticipated a more pronounced grainy character. I was pleasantly surprised by a well-developed and rather distinctive dram. Another good choice for those seeking something a bit different and challenging.

The aroma has oak, vanilla, caramel, and fruit. The palate is well-balanced between sweet and dry. The finish is light with black pepper and clove. This is an easy-drinking spirit. It's excellent, and once word gets out, it will surely disappear from shelves quickly. The price paid was quite reasonable.

A welcome departure from typical American rye. It possesses a refreshing cleanness in its taste. Light in body, but a solid, lingering bite in the aftertaste. It's not a burn, but a strong spice note, not grassy, smoky, or nutty. It's simply clean. I truly enjoyed it and purchased it for something novel. Definitely worth a try.

Excellent rye palate, I need to explore more 100% ryes - but the finish isn't particularly appealing, it's more like a bourbon, likely due to the casks.