Woodinville Straight 100% Rye (90 Proof)

Rating: 16/23 Nose: This aroma is quite rich. There's rye tartness resembling sweet tarts, with a bit of peppermint, bitter grass, and orange peel. I also detect a hint of banana sweetness, significant toastiness, a pleasant layer of light brown sugar, and subtle wood notes. It almost reminds me of apple pie. While it doesn't smell particularly aged, it does convey a sense of deliberate creation rather than being rushed out too young. Palate: Brown sugar, vanilla, tannic (yet somewhat mature) wood, ginger, black pepper, clove, peppermint, and a bit more direct menthol, orange extract. It leans sweet but is balanced by a bitter undertone. There's a substantial malt character, suggesting a high percentage of malted rye was likely used. It's pleasant and full-bodied, especially for its moderate alcohol content. Finish: The wood lingers, along with hints of varnish, orange extract, and menthol. Towards the end of the long finish, I get a faint trace of banana, perhaps with a touch more tropical fruitiness. - Conclusion - This is a very solid rye. It takes the 100% rye profile and elevates it into a more indulgent drink while maintaining good complexity and excellent balance. It's highly enjoyable. I suspect a significant amount of malted rye is present to create such a rich flavor. It's less crisp, spicy, and herbal than Whistlepig PiggyBack, but unlike Pikesville, it doesn't exhibit bourbon-like corn or sour mash notes. I'm considering it a 16 to 18. Essentially, this combines general rye tannic wood with softened fruit notes similar to Willett 4, the richness of malted rye, and rye spice. It's an excellent concept that works well, but it just misses the mark slightly. Most of the flavors feel a bit thin, while the tannins are somewhat pronounced. A bottling at 55% to 60% ABV without a significant increase in tannins would be exceptional. On one hand, I hope the tannins will mellow in the bottle. On the other hand, I worry that softer tannins might make it too thin. The more I taste this, the more I find its thickness a challenge. Here's my current assessment: this, along with well-aerated Whistlepig PiggyBack (16/23), are indeed 16s, while Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye (17/23) and well-aerated Pikesville Rye (16/23) are actually 17s. Pikesville might even be an 18. This could still be a 17, but an 18 is unlikely. Actually, upon further sampling, I believe it's on the lower end of a 16. This seems better than Elijah Craig Small Batch (15), but not quite as good as Whistlepig PiggyBack. Given that those scores seem accurate, I'm settling on a 16 for this.

It's amusing how this is advertised as rare, yet it's stocked in nearly every shop in the Midwest for a similar price. I've tried the brand's main bourbon, and it was quite decent, almost reaching something truly exceptional. I'm anticipating comparable results here, but with so few rye whiskeys available for comparison, my expectations are higher (though without much justification). It starts promisingly with a 5-year age statement, and I'm hoping the rye character is prominent, as 90 proof isn't particularly robust. The color is medium-dark, looking impressive and inviting. Frankly, the primary aroma is just rye grain itself. Beyond that, there are some standard notes from a moderately toasted barrel, but so far, it's a straightforward offering that should be interesting, considering how few rye whiskeys truly highlight the grain. A few more whiffs reveal very subtle hints of tropical fruit and bread. The taste is as "typical" as the smell, with rye grain upfront, offering both spice and a bit of mellowness, followed by a touch too much malt (which is odd, given the mash bill is exclusively rye). Oak appears after the grain, but it seems younger or less toasted than the aroma suggested, not providing the vanilla and caramel that would enhance this whiskey after five years in those barrels. The finish is what every rye whiskey should aim for: a mouthful of cinnamon and a tingling sensation on the gums. This could have been significantly improved with a higher proof, but I must admit it's more accessible as a flagship product. This is a fine tribute to the rye harvest and a solid alternative to other accessible, mid-tier options commonly found in stores. It does make me curious about any older ryes from this brand, provided they are priced reasonably for consumption. I don't recall the exact cost of this bottle, but like many craft spirits, it was likely overpriced for its quality. If it were priced comparably to Wild Turkey Rye or Bulleit Rye, I would choose this every time (almost).

A bold yet welcoming aroma promising significant potency, balanced by abundant fruit and spice. Initial scents include freshly mown grass, a yeasty quality, and savory herbs, naturally with rye notes and a touch of mint. Mid-aromas bring to mind cherry and strawberry candy twists, subtle brown sugar, vanilla, and a mellow honey-like maltiness, complemented by a whisper of green apple peel and a flicker of citrus. Base notes feature cinnamon and allspice, hints of suede, and woodsmoke. The taste is spicy and sweet. Intense pepper hits first, with a spicy, herbal character akin to arugula. Following this, a dessert-like sweetness arrives with sugary fruit pie filling, cherry, strawberry, and orange preserves. Smoky suede and vanilla permeate the mouth with each breath taken after a taste. The texture is pleasing, smooth on the tongue with a slight oiliness. It initially descends in quick rivulets, then continues to shed heavy drops, each falling slower than the last until a sparse pattern remains on the glass. The conclusion is moderate in duration and strength, noticeably oaky but not excessively dry, leaving behind hints of menthol, cocoa butter, dried cranberries, raisins, and earthy spice. Nose: 8 Palate: 9 Body: 9 Finish: 8

This rye is remarkably rich and smooth, with a strong woody character. It bears a surprising resemblance to Glenfarclas 25, but with added sweet tart notes. That fruity-sour candy flavor is unusual but quite enjoyable in an inexpensive drink. While not overly complex, the flavors are quite good for a rye, making it a pleasant sipping option. The sweet tarts effectively integrate the mineral notes into a balanced profile. There's a bourbon-like vanilla element that enhances the floral character and richness without excessively amplifying the minerals. It's smooth but not particularly creamy, somewhat akin to an American Single Malt. It's quite astonishing how much this tastes like a scotch, given it's 100% rye. The brown sugar sweetness is pleasant, and the barrel influence is well-balanced. It would be a great component in a mixed drink, as it almost tastes like a cocktail already. A bit less minerality and more complexity would still be welcome, but this is very good indeed.

My first thought on the aroma was… APPLE, with a coating of caramel. There is a good bit of rye present too. (Obviously!!) There was a sweet freshness to the aromas and sniffing that I inhaled! The flavor is sweet “ Rye-Rye-Rye…with a hint of apple, and twice shy” (a song by the rock groups “Eddie & the Hot Rods” & later, “Great White”). This initial & subsequent sips/chews, the flavor was…. ryes… apple…spices….and sweet freshness! There is no “Kentucky Hug” in the back of my throat and downward; but a warm, rye-spice with baking spices and cinnamon (hints of caramel too). In summary…a very, very solid drink that calls me to subsequent sips (could be dangerous! 😉)

Wow, this is one of the finest readily available ryes on the market. It's the kind of rye for bourbon drinkers that announces, "Now for something completely different!" It's very oaky, but in an unusual way. It has all the oak character without the tannin or acridity. It's like walking among oak trees, not climbing them. I'm not sure how they achieve this. And the rye itself is very well-behaved and controlled, like a miniature Doberman. I mean all of this positively (otherwise, I would state it plainly). A good rye. Bring this to a gathering of whiskey enthusiasts, or enjoy it during an extended, competitive game of Monopoly or Risk.