Rieger Kansas City Whiskey

Nose: Chocolatey and warm! There's a distinct note characteristic of American whiskey that I'm trying to identify. Upon learning it contains 12-year-old Oloroso sherry, I recognize that as the source of the scent, along with vanilla extract, orange peel, and dark fruit. Taste 1: A brief rye spice gives way to burnt sugar and caramel with orange and chocolate notes. A subtle hint of leather. It's a true butterscotch explosion! Delicious! Nose 2: Reminiscent of chocolate orange candy, the kind shaped like an orange but made of chocolate. There's not a lot of oak, but a lingering scent like a campfire is present. Taste 2: Brown sugar and caramel, with orange and pear. The butterscotch flavor is quite pronounced. Very easy to drink. This was a gift from a friend, and I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a very distinctive whiskey, almost like a bourbon finished in sherry casks but with a more potent sherry character and complexity. I'd recommend it to anyone seeking something different that they'll appreciate.

An assertive American Blended Whiskey from J. Rieger & Co. Distillery in Kansas City, Missouri, made with a mix of Straight Bourbon Whiskey, light corn Whiskey & Straight Rye Whiskey, plus a 'dash' of 15 YO Oloroso Sherry from the Williams & Humbert Bodega in Jerez, Spain. It's aged for at least 4 years and bottled at 46% ABV. It starts aromatically with hints of Sherry, caramel, butterscotch & corn Whiskey; followed by a rich & spicy profile adding notes of sweet corn Whiskey, dried fruits, almonds, allspice & bitter chocolate; concluding with a robust & warming finish of moderate length featuring notes of oak & rye spice. December 2022

The smell of maple syrup, caramel, and vanilla is almost overwhelming with this one. There's a subtle smokiness indicating a hint of bourbon in this blend, along with a touch of dark chocolate. The initial taste is rich and quite pleasant on the front of the palate. In the mid-palate, you detect all the spices of a fine rye, but it's quite strong as it goes down. Adding an ice cube significantly softens this one, making it an enjoyable sipper. It would also be excellent in an old fashioned.

Nose: cherry, apple pie…. The aroma is truly excellent. Palate: medium body, Honey, caramelized sugar, cinnamon. Finish: slightly tart with a little oak… the finish doesn't quite match the initial impression. A respectable dram. Acquired this in KC at Rieger’s. Appreciated the distillery and its background. My wife also perfectly captured the slide!

Tasted blind on day 7 of an advent calendar. It tastes young, inexpensive, and harsh, with strong maple, fresh wood, and an ethanol burn. Update: After learning the identity of the spirit, I can detect the sherry, and the flavors make more sense, though I still don't particularly enjoy it.

Aroma: Strawberry jam, vanilla, spice, and oak. Taste: Sweet and fruity initially. Spice heat emerges, covering the tongue, with notes of cinnamon and clove. The fruit resembles strawberry candy. Finish: Long, spicy, and bitter, fading to a dry sensation.