Woodinville Cask Strength Straight 100% Rye

Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Apricot Jam" 100% rye mashbill Barrel No. 8337 No Age Statement 57.74% abv; 115.48 proof Opened 15 months Nose - Stewed apricots, bright honey, cinnamon candy, caramel, dark cereal grain, cardamom, light oak, and moderate ethanol. Palate - Spiced apricot filling, sweet rye bread, clove, pine sap, white pepper, and dry cinnamon. The finish is medium with notes of stale rye bread, dried apricot. My former bourbon club accurately named this. It overwhelmingly tastes like an apricot cobbler and not much else. I'm unsure how many whiskey reviewers have actually eaten fresh apricots. I have. At a friend's farm in Idaho, which is covered in apricot trees. They're not particularly great, to be honest. There's a reason they aren't a common standalone fruit in desserts or grocery stores. I'd prefer a peach or nectarine any day. It's quite fascinating how different 100% ryes are across the country. Balcones, Dad's Hat, Alberta Premium - all drastically different. This has a unique flavor profile, but it's a one-glass-and-done kind of drink.

The aroma begins with woody and handcrafted notes, accompanied by pleasant sweet and spicy elements striving for prominence. As it develops, it becomes quite floral, yet never overpowering – a rather unusual and distinctive profile. The palate delivers the woody, spicy, and sweet characteristics, surprisingly incorporating the floral aspect as well. This isn't an artificial or soapy floral note, but rather a more vegetal floral, similar to edible flowers presented in fine dining establishments. The finish is my favorite part, showcasing a lovely equilibrium of sweet, rustic, and spicy notes.

A beautiful, dangerously easy-drinking spirit. I enjoyed this while winter camping in the cold. This is the kind of smooth that makes you lose track of time and never want to stop. We received ours directly from the distillery, custom engraved for the occasion. The straight rye is challenging to find, but absolutely worth the effort. Sweet, pleasant, festive spice. No harshness, wonderfully balanced.

This barrel selection from Brown Jug AK offers abundant flavor, with more floral and dark fruit notes than typically found in most ryes. It's well-balanced with oak, vanilla, and spice. The alcohol burn is noticeable but not excessive. Adding a little water enhances the floral and fruit notes while reducing the ethanol – trying both is advised. Truly excellent.

The nose presents a strong aroma of barnyard funk, mesquite BBQ, sawdust, buttered popcorn, spearmint, vanilla frosting, and oak. The palate leads with full, green and sweet oak, rye spice, and a touch of honey. The finish offers warming spice, a grassy note, and a hint of honey. This offers a dynamic range of flavors.

Incredibly spicy, with spice dominating throughout. The wood influence from the cask strength is also evident. It's a bit one-dimensional on its own, but would excel in a cocktail due to its intense flavor.