Clear Water Distilling René Rye-Magnac

Rene Rye-Magnac, 42% ABV, a blend of American rye whiskey (potentially from Ross and Squibb, formerly MGP?) and XO Armagnac from France, created by Clear Water Distilling in Pleasant Grove, UT. This is Batch 1, Bottle 2214, costing $90. It's named in honor of Rene Cassin, a soldier and Nobel Peace Prize recipient--symbolizing the union of seemingly contrasting elements. https://www.clearwaterdistilling.com/product/rene-rye-magnac/ It has a brown straw hue with thin legs clinging to the glass. The nose offers sweet vanilla oak and apples that are past their prime. It's floral with a hint of cereal mash, but lacks the spicy or grassy notes one might expect from a rye base spirit. The palate delivers flashes of rye spice and pepper, along with some ethanol. Flavors include sweet grain, vanilla oak, apple, grape, and orange. The body is light and the mouthfeel is thin. The finish reveals baking spices, mint, and leather, but then turns slightly sour. The finish isn't long or lingering, except for a dry, alkaline, salty-sour taste. Adding ice diminishes the rye spice and oak, and shortens the finish... but not the sourness. One can age whiskey in a previously used barrel, or one can simply blend it with another spirit. Clear Water opted for the latter approach in this instance, an "interesting" decision. It's also pricey. I intend to continue tasting and contemplating this distinctive bottle. 12/31/22 It's growing on me. And it's quite good in a cocktail like the Prince of Wales, but that makes for a costly mixer.

Appearance is clear copper with medium legs. The scent carries spicy, herbal, vanilla, and caramel notes. The flavor profile includes spicy, herbal, vanilla, and toffee with a bread-like undertone. It has a medium body and a moderate warming sensation. Score: 8/4/8/4/16, totaling 4.0.