Traverse City Whiskey Co. North Coast Rye

The aroma presents fresh pine needles, an aged cedar box, and a hint of floral scent, almost like jasmine but not quite. The palate is light and somewhat sweet, but spicy notes persistently suggest it's a rye, while your mind anticipates the taste of a pine bough that never fully materializes. It's like a diluted rye, offering most of the flavors with less intensity. Even the spice is milder; there's certainly nutmeg, cardamom, and anise, but the sharp, hot black pepper is entirely absent, and the mint only makes a brief appearance at the very end. The entire experience is relaxed, akin to a Sunday morning, but like that calm time, there isn't much to make me want to return to it. I'm glad I tried it, but this style of rye isn't to my preference. It resembles bourbon without the caramel and rye without the minty pine, which are the characteristics I typically seek in those spirits.

Aroma: vanilla and peppercorn. Palate: a heavier texture, additional vanilla notes, and a faint sting on the palate and in the throat. Aftertaste: For my palate, it was quite brief with minimal lingering intensity. Rating: 3.0 Rating Scale 5.0 - Exceptional, stands alone. 4.5 - Superb, a staple bottle. 4.0 - Really good, a pleasurable drink, a dependable option. 3.5 - Decent, worth tasting again. 3.0 - Typical. 2.5 - Okay, still drinkable. 2.0 - Poor, drinkable but not pleasant. 1.5 and below - Would avoid unless absolutely necessary.

Nose presents a faint chemical/cleaning product scent, hitting the senses with bright copper, dill, spicy rye, and mild oak; Taste is slightly sweeter and less intense, yet still has a bite, featuring dill, copper, and lemongrass that pierce through, leading to the finish; The end begins with sharp lemongrass, then gently, but rapidly, diminishes to a coppery fruitiness.

Pleasant mouthfeel and smooth on first sip. A bit more heat builds with subsequent sips, but it's a decent attempt! Anticipating the small barrel version, which will likely be superior.

This rye is surprisingly smooth. There's no harshness on the tongue. It exhibits classic rye characteristics: lemon, honey, and fresh-cut grass, along with woody notes reminiscent of a cigar box.

Reduced rating because it doesn't compare as well to other rye whiskeys like Basil Hayden's.