Smoke Wagon Malted Straight Rye Whiskey

Given that a certain distillery began their malted rye in 2013, there's a chance this whiskey is around 9 years old, or contains some. Combined with the distinct mashbill, this makes me curious. Let's see the details: The aroma presents familiar rye notes like lemon pepper, spearmint, rye spice, and caraway, along with some intriguing additions: a leafy herb (oregano? thyme? sage?), croissant, butter, and a candy note that resolved into red Twizzlers. The ethanol is well-managed for the proof, which is a plus. The palate is rather unusual. Follow me here: imagine traditional rye flavors of mint, lemongrass, pepper, and grain submerged in chocolate. It's more of a conflict between herbal and sweet than a barely legal 51% rye, but with amplified intensity for both. Strange, but enjoyable. It moves quickly to the finish with limited mid-palate development. The finish follows a more conventional rye path with significant white pepper spice, mint, and tannic oak. A malt note is present underneath, resembling malt liquor or beer more than a malted milk ball. The mouthfeel is grainy, dry, and abrasive, leading me to question the possibility of older whiskey components. After several sips, I felt like my tongue had been sanded. This is usually not a focus for me, but it was a substantial drawback and detracted significantly, making me think more softness and body would have been beneficial. Overall, it's a somewhat appealing peculiarity, but not enough to truly impress. The progression from a great nose to a decent palate to a poor finish is notable. At its price point, superior whiskeys, particularly rye, are readily available. I won't be repurchasing.

Nose: Honey and baking spices initially, followed by brown sugar and caramel. Palate: A subtle honey note, with rye spice significantly amplified. Black pepper, a hint of fennel. Finish: Long-lasting. Overall: This is an outstanding rye. It balances spice, earthiness, and sweetness. It's very potent and coats the mouth. Whatever they are doing at this desert distillery is working. This is delicious.

I'm conflicted about this one. The flavors are truly unique and memorable – spicy rye and mint compete with citrus and fruit, plus an earthy grain taste I suspect comes from malted barley. However, the proof and flavor combination are a bit overwhelming and harsh on the finish, even when diluted. I won't buy it again, but it's very distinctive. Excellent for blind tastings.

Appearance: Deep amber Smell: Fresh dill, alcohol, vanilla, and rye bread Flavor: Sweet corn transitions to dill, mint, and spice, with an oily texture that evolves as you taste it Aftertaste: Mint, gentle spice, vanilla, and a medium duration Score: 8.5/10 Worth the price: 8/10

Great. Sweet cereal and malty notes hit first, really showcasing the delicious barley without being too sugary. A spicy, hot rye finish follows. Enjoyable.

Spicy caramel notes, it hits your palate like a spicy spoonful of fruity pebbles and finishes hot, spicy, and minty.