Smooth Ambler Contradiction Rye

Initial thoughts: Quite delicious. Sweet and fruity at first - citrus apple, caramel, with some less prominent rye notes on the finish. More emphasis on cinnamon-pepper-fruit than herbal qualities. No dill detected. The alcohol level is just right. Excellent value at $37. A very well-executed blend of straight rye whiskies. I hope the remainder of the bottle tastes like this initial pour. Remark: at a comparable price to Pikesville, it faces significant competition. A side-by-side comparison will be necessary. Update: comparison with Pikesville - this holds its own. The Contradiction is fruitier, brighter. Pikesville offers more caramel and woody depth. Neither displays an overtly herbal rye character. Unsure if I favor either substantially over the other, which I consider high praise for this spirit. While I prefer Pikesville's depth, this is certainly a repurchase and likely a regular rotation selection. Update 2: this has replaced Pikesville as the standard stocked rye in my cabinet. The cost has decreased to just over $32, making it a superior value locally. Additionally, Pikesville has become more difficult to find. The flavors are not particularly complex, but the existing ones are very well done.

Aroma: Features pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice, offering a pleasant balance and blend of each. A delightful baked apple pie and caramel foundation is present, adding unexpected intrigue and complexity. The oak is subtle. For $35, this aroma is very impressive, showing significant complexity. Taste: (Slowly nods head). I'm thoroughly enjoying this... immensely. This drinks above its price point, which is always a major advantage for me. I recall my mother making fresh rye bread when I was growing up; this strongly reminds me of that, evoking nostalgia. I'm detecting more of the same spices on the palate, along with a hint of cocoa powder. Apple pie comes to mind again. It has a medium finish, with some sips lasting longer than others. Overall: Sweet & Spicy... this represents one of the best values at its price range. Hats off to Smooth Ambler for crafting a truly excellent rye in the $35-40 price bracket.

Batch 47, Bottled by Dreana. Appearance: Dark golden brown with moderate viscosity in the glass. Aroma: Sharp spice and green, herbaceous notes, accompanied by sweet, fermented grape scents. Taste: Toasted grain, caramelized sugar, and notes of vanilla oak tannins. A significant wave of ethanol emerges, leading into a lengthy finish characterized by caramelized sugar, rye spice, pepper, and a persistent tingle of nettles/mint. A hint of charred oak is also present. This is a robust and potent rye blend that is effective, though perhaps not for beginners. The alcohol content is suitable for both sipping and mixing, as it would perform well in a cocktail. It's sweeter than anticipated, which is acceptable. Adding ice reduces the ethanol's intensity while preserving a wealth of flavor. I admire the brand's Contradiction series, and the price point of around $35 makes this a great value.

Nose: Autumn baking spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. A subtle earthy, woody note is also detected. Palate: Unexpected fruitiness, hints of strawberries in brown sugar, figs, grainy rye bread, and a touch of honey. Finish: A smooth sweetness with notes of brown sugar and mint. This is an excellent rye. It deviates from the typical dill, strong mint, and pronounced rye spice, offering a well-crafted dram instead.

On the nose, I'm not detecting much, but that's likely a personal limitation, not the whiskey's. On the palate, I'm experiencing typical rye spice along with some green apples and a slight alcohol burn. There's a vanilla, almost cake frosting note right at the front. The whiskey has some body and a lengthy finish. If you enjoy rye, this one won't lead you astray.

I favor this brand because it's from my home state, but that didn't influence my assessment. It presents a strong cinnamon aroma with some fruitiness. On the palate, the cinnamon from the nose is present, initially a bit sweet, followed by a rye spice reminiscent of pepper on the finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this and consider it a good choice for an everyday Rye at its price point.