Uncle Nearest Straight Rye

The aroma is of rye with some sweetness; also some fruity and light floral notes. The taste has a distinct "rye" character, and these other notes, combined with rye grasses, give it a unique "funkiness" as the flavor lingers. The finish provides a somewhat delayed aftertaste that, to my palate, brought back this hard-to-describe "funkiness," leaving me with an aftertaste I did NOT like or appreciate... I felt I had to counteract it with a much better rye whiskey or a quality bourbon to bring my tastebuds and mouthfeel back to "normal!" Definitely NOT on my "Good List"; I will not purchase it again!

The color is quite light, resembling yellow popcorn kernels in a mason jar. It has a wonderful sweet aroma of creamed corn and cooked apples with cinnamon, and a hint of barnyard. For a rye, this is very prominent with corn throughout. It's soft and sweet initially, with the creamed corn aroma coming through on the front, persisting through the mid-palate, and leading into the finish. It trails off with vanilla and Heath bars, accented by cinnamon, clove, and baking cocoa. A slight tartness, like Granny Smith apple pie drizzled with caramel, appears on the finish, reminding you it is indeed a rye.

During our Tennessee whiskey tour, the Uncle Nearest Distillery offered an amazing guided tasting, during which this Rye expression particularly caught my attention. On the nose, I detect lemongrass, fresh gooseberries, brown sugar, and grapefruit. It's mostly fruity. The palate is dominated by red fruits and cherries, with a slightly grainy character. The aftertaste has a chocolate profile, with cherries, ginger, and dry grain. Overall, this one was very flavorful and interesting. I perceive a certain complexity that isn't typical for most Tennessee whiskies. My rating for it is 89 out of 100.

An excellent rye that satisfies completely. A bit of sweetness initially, then a wave of rye intensity follows immediately. Substantial body with a medium-to-heavy texture. Abundant notes of baking spice and holiday nut roll are present, with the oak cask preventing anything from becoming unbalanced. The finish is remarkably long, with traces of cinnamon, allspice, and black walnut. You'll want multiple bottles of this delicious spirit!

The nose is full of cherry, cinnamon oatmeal raisin cookie, and a hint of citrus (?). The palate is a full-on spice bomb with the sweetness of the oatmeal raisin cookie carrying through. It provides a slightly warm hug in the chest with very little burn. The finish is short and spicy. I've primarily been a Bourbon drinker but have recently started exploring the world of Rye. This is a success.

The aroma is dominated by vanilla with subtle fruit undertones. On the palate, vanilla and apple are the primary flavors. Adding a drop of water shifts the profile, bringing caramel to the forefront with a lengthy finish.