Wild Buck American Rye Whiskey

This rye was a Christmas present I had been secretly anticipating for a considerable time. My in-laws visited the distillery and obtained this bottle as a gift for me this past holiday season. Consequently, my expectations for this rye were elevated for two primary reasons: its local origin and its attainment of prestigious accolades in San Francisco. To preemptively reveal my findings, I thoroughly enjoyed this rye (a deliberate play on words). If you are interested in the aspects that left me somewhat underwhelmed, continue reading; otherwise, be assured that this is an exceptional rye. Upon opening the bottle, the initial aroma was not the most appealing rye scent I've encountered, but it was by no means unpleasant; it was simply average. Aroma is less critical to me than taste, so I would not penalize it in a judging scenario. Next, I took my first sip, and wow, an immediate burst of delightful flavors unfolded. Spicy rye, sweet undertones, and a distinct regional character that I struggle to define rushed towards me. It is no surprise that this rye has been recommended to me multiple times by fellow whiskey enthusiasts whose expertise is less than mine. It's simply a pleasant blend of spice and sweetness with remarkable flavor. I used it in an Old Fashioned for the third tasting, and it was fantastic in a well-made cocktail! Now, you've read this far to discover my specific point of contention. While not a major issue, it is something that personally irritates me. I strongly dislike it when a wonderfully flavored whiskey/bourbon/scotch has a finish that is too fleeting. What I truly appreciate is a drink whose flavors linger in my mouth for half an hour, and this one dissipates as quickly as it is consumed. Aside from that, this is a damn fine whiskey, and I am pleased to know it is produced by a local company utilizing locally sourced ingredients from Florida, and I can visit their distillery within an hour if I choose! 1/22/20

While visiting my son's family in Florida, we frequently sample and evaluate spirits. He produced a half-empty bottle, which was the most appealing part, and we tried it. I must admit, I didn't have high expectations for a rye from Florida. The nose is pleasantly greeted by citrus and rye spice; it's delightful. It holds up well to further sniffing, though there isn't much depth beneath that, which is acceptable. The taste is true, and my mouth is filled with flavor. It's a little thin, and I concur with others that the finish is extremely short.

Rich brown color. The nose has notes of honey, spice, with a bit of leather and vanilla. The flavor is very pleasant spicy leather. The finish is nice and long. I noted other reviewers mentioned a very short finish. I believe they have rectified that issue. I usually prefer ryes with a 100% rye mash bill. It's certainly the best whiskey I've tried from Florida.

Sweet and woody. Smooth and moist. Not overly dry.

Silky