Reservoir Rye Whiskey

Nose: Freshly cut grass, sweet hay, the smell of rain on baked red soil. Parchment. Crisp and light with a little spice and fruit – mango, tangerine, and strawberry. A surprisingly light and lively rye aroma that is very pleasant. With time, a subtle vanilla note is detected. Palate: Again, very grassy and slightly herbal upon entry. Light lemon zest and some anise. However, there is little development beyond a slow increase in spice notes and an almost bubbly citrus presence. The texture is acceptable but nothing special. Finish: Medium length. Mild spice and lemon fading into the distance. A slightly unusual rye whisky with a strong emphasis on citrus. The nose is the most captivating aspect and it is refreshingly unique. The palate, however, doesn't quite reach the same level, being brief and shallow with no progression. I'd attribute this entirely to its youth, and it would be interesting to taste this if it were given a few more years of aging in larger barrels. Adding water ruins the nose, removing all the distinct aromas and making it more like an average rye, although some of the grassy notes persist. On the palate, water brings out black pepper, hot capsicum, and salt (along with a little balancing sweetness). It does reduce the bright lemon focus, but overall I preferred it neat. An interesting whiskey, but like the Reservoir Wheat I just rated, this is overpriced here. It's almost worth the money, but then I consider all the very good scotch whiskies I could purchase instead. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Above Average": 82/100 (3.25 stars)

My first experience with the Reservoir series. Apparently, they utilize 5-gallon barrels, which is noteworthy. It doesn't seem overly influenced or excessively aged by the cask, though. I wouldn't seek out another serving, but it's a well-made dram. Notes of cherry, vanilla, leather, prunes, and a good amount of spice and oak, with a slightly drying bite even after adding plenty of water. It's pricey at $100 USD. There are certainly better ryes available for less than half that price.

100% rye tastes like a 100% rye spirit. Not overly hot, quite flavorful, a very pleasant whiskey overall. A bit expensive for what it is, but there's a novelty aspect considering it's from such a tiny distillery.

My top choice so far. The aroma of stepping into an old library filled with leather-bound books and chairs, with a pipe smoldering on a desk. The finish was excellent!

Woody and quite peppery on the finish, with pronounced hints of spice. The scent is more peppery than the conclusion.

Nice rye spice, but the mouthfeel is unremarkable. Flavor rounds out with a drop of water, but it's just okay.