Stellum Black Rye

This is among the best-smelling bourbons or ryes I have ever encountered. Massive oak, caramel, and vanilla. Mint and that secondary rye spice... a slight cinnamon note. Taste - incredibly buttery. The texture is immense, almost chewy. Oak and mint are perfectly balanced. A light dusting of cinnamon bread, dark fruits, and red hot candies. Overall - honestly, the balance of flavors is what makes this a great offering. Each sip reveals a new aspect, and the finish is long. The challenge is that you continuously want to revisit it to discover what other flavors will emerge. Before you realize it, your glass is empty, and it's time for another pour. While the price is high, this one is truly worth it.

A lively and bright nose of rye spice. It presents a complex blend of dark bread and dried culinary herbs. Very captivating and intriguing, offering a very welcoming first impression. The initial flavors are as anticipated: driven by spice, but also featuring ample chewy caramel and chocolate. The rye integrates well with the other components, creating a perfect harmony between a bakery and a barrelhouse. This rye truly shines. It's a significant upgrade from the standard bottling and exceptionally well-crafted. I'd be interested to learn more about the age proportions in this blend.

Stellum Rye is excellent on its own; however, the store pick variations are considerably better. But when a bourbon starts with the core principle of making high-quality (Barrell) products accessible at a reasonable price (as the Stellum line has done so far), the real question becomes, “is this truly worth $100?” The answer is unequivocally yes. It dangerously approaches the caliber of Old Carter Rye/Michter's 10 Year Rye, meaning this is just a slight step below the absolute finest I've ever encountered. If you happen upon one, seize the opportunity immediately.

Stellum Rye was my top pick among $50ish bottles in 2021, so this older bottling definitely caught my attention. It's non-age-stated and bottled at 114 proof, produced by the Barrell team. This is an incredible Rye, with a super buttery, creamy palate, pepper, and a subtle hint of dill. This is a premium rye, well worth the $100 MSRP. I preferred this significantly over T.H. Saz and also more than Barrell Rye #3, which is similarly priced.

Nose: A burst of mint and baking spice. In contrast to its bourbon sibling, the rye has a viscous mouthfeel. Buttery, caramel, vanilla, developing spice. A minty, spicy finish lingers for a considerable time, but never becomes overwhelming. This could be a benchmark for a solid, well-aged traditional rye.

It has a great deal of flavor. The aroma is spicy. It was too intense initially for my preference; it needed ice to mellow for about 10 minutes. Afterward, it had some spicy flavors. It's smooth with a nice mouthfeel. I don't think the price is excessive for it.