Starlight Single Barrel Rye Old Rickhouse (Roc Elite murder hornets)

The aroma is a rich blend of earthy rye spice, vanilla, brown sugar, and subtle hints of molasses and dried flowers. It certainly seems older than its 4 and a half years, offering a very full experience before the first sip. The palate is intense, dry, and chewy. It begins with an incredible burst of spice that completely dominates the mouth, followed by charred oak. The smoother notes are present but reside far in the background. This isn't necessarily a negative, as it's a rye whiskey, and the rye is very prominent and forward. So, as a straightforward rye whiskey, this one delivers powerfully in the best way possible. The finish is medium to medium-long, with a lingering spice that keeps the mouth quite tingly, but the whole thing fades faster than you'd expect. Normally, you might hold this against the overall experience, but for something so intense not to leave you feeling like you need a moment to recover is actually quite pleasant. This is a good one, quite special in the rye whiskey category, as again, this excels in every aspect for its price point and especially considering it's only four and a half years old, which is pretty remarkable. This will be greatly missed when it's gone.