Wyoming Whiskey Outryder

Apple cinnamon Cheerios perfectly captures this. I drank this over the weekend, stepping away from my usual traditional whiskey. The moment I opened the bottle, I detected a peculiar mix of shoe polish, apples, and pumpernickel rye. I'm not a big fan of this aroma, but it's not unpleasant—just a personal preference against the smell of shoe polish. Perhaps it's linked to my teenage job in a shoe store stacking boxes. The taste is exactly like apple cinnamon Cheerios. I enjoyed Wyoming Whiskey's standard bottle, possibly because my first experience was in Jackson Hole overlooking the Grand Tetons, which undoubtedly influenced my perception. This one... I'm uncertain. Given it's priced similarly to their standard offering, I would opt for the standard. However, if you absolutely love apple cinnamon Cheerios, this is a must-buy. Otherwise, skip it. Tried again this evening 4/9: Letting it breathe for a while and adding a cube of ice makes a significant difference. The rye then becomes well-balanced with the bourbon. The bourbon enhances the sweetness, counteracting the rye's boldness. I'm really enjoying the output from this craft distillery; it's become my new favorite after High West.

On this Friday the 13th, I'm in the mood for something brown that isn't scotch. Fumbling around, I found this sample. Immediately, the nose presents apples with cinnamon. Soon after, other characteristics of quality high-rye whiskey emerge: cloves, leather, rye, brown sugar, and vanilla. There's also some oak char. Eventually, the aromas reach their peak and begin to slowly fade, becoming less potent. Still, it's quite nice. Considering its high proof, the palate is soft and sweet with a medium-dense body. It's richly deep with brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. The rye notes are detectable but not dominant. It's fairly straightforward but tasty. The finish is long and enjoyable, with oak and cinnamon that are drying. Hints of root beer appear at the very end. This bourbon-rye hybrid offers a whiskey that's a good sipper. It reminds me, from memory, of Four Roses Single Barrel. It's sweet for a rye and spicy for a bourbon. My thanks to a friend for the sample that traveled to New York, Virginia, and back again. [87/100][Tasted: 7/13/18]

The aroma is primarily rye, yet the barley's significant presence is also apparent. Upon closer inspection, hints of mild sweet cinnamon emerge, followed by oak notes. The initial taste is a powerful burst of spice, amplified by the 100 proof (BIB). This sensation persists and expands as the alcohol dissipates, showcasing a pleasant thickness. The flavor profile thereafter feels somewhat lacking, almost too understated to counter the initial impact? It surprisingly concludes smoothly, leaving behind fleeting traces of spice on the palate. While I wouldn't repurchase it, I'm pleased to have experienced it.

Sampled three distinct versions of this at a tasting event. The 4 Year offered notes of spearmint, marshmallow, pepper, caramel, apple, a spicy finish, floral notes, and dulce de leche. The 5 Year presented vanilla, floral notes, caramel, cloves, dill, pepper, mint, coconut, and marshmallow. The 7 Year, which is 5-star quality, featured caramel, chocolate, floral notes, mint, dill, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, orange, port, and a spicy finish. All possessed aromas reminiscent of bourbon/rye, palates like bourbon, and finishes like rye.

This spontaneous purchase from a liquor store is quite enjoyable. It's the closest I've ever experienced to EH Taylor. The BiB and wheated mash bill achieve just the right level of smoothness. The rye is fantastic, and the notes of apple cinnamon caramel, along with a really pleasant double oak character, lead into a wonderfully oily finish. It's absolutely worth getting a bottle, provided you can locate one.

The aroma is somewhat rough, with clear notes of oak/char and grain. It feels full-bodied, and the oak is again very noticeable on the palate. As it fades, there's a nice sweetness, like caramel or toffee. A slightly rough note (like dirty socks?) still emerges during the finish. It's pleasant but not outstanding.