Woodinville Microbarreled Rye (Discontinued)

Nose - Rich notes of dark chocolate, sweet rye bread, dark vanilla caramel, oaky vanilla, and a light, yeasty scent akin to unbaked chocolate cinnamon rolls. Taste - Slightly thin, with notes of toasted cereal, mildly bitter chocolate nibs, a pleasant rye spice tingle, and a sweet, nutty flavor like caramelized pecans, reminiscent of a dark, almost burnt crème brûlée topping. Finish - Lingering tastes of chocolate and toasted cereal grains, similar to a dark caramel-glazed puffed oat/wheat cereal, with a slightly bitter burnt vanilla caramel/toffee note. Score - 90/100

A good level of rye spice and some pleasant barrel oak notes. It makes a decent Manhattan. At $50, there are superior options available for half the price (such as Rittenhouse). I do not regret trying it and will enjoy the remainder of the bottle, but I will not purchase it again. Perhaps it will improve with age.

The aroma is rich with vanilla, accompanied by a sharp, sweet, and spicy oak character. The taste follows with more vanilla and a flavor reminiscent of cola. The ending is somewhat brief but retains the vanilla essence for a period. Overall, quite pleasing.

This bottle is packed with spice, mint, and alcohol. It requires additional aging to mellow its harshness. Adding ice provides some relief. It performs well in mixed drinks, such as a Manhattan, when paired with other robust or sweet ingredients.

This expression is what shifted me from bourbon to rye. It's spicy with a subtle hint of vanilla and a touch of smoke. Exceptionally smooth. It performs equally well whether mixed in a drink or enjoyed neat.

A delightful spicy rye. While I typically favor single malts, I appreciate this rye in cocktails; it has the strength to hold its own and stand out in a well-crafted drink.