Distilled in 1998, and bottled last fall, this is a seven year old, 90 proof rye released to compliment its 18 year old namesake. For a "walk-out price" of $24.92 ($22.99+tax), it's a good tasting, great deal in whiskey. This is pretty straightforward rye whiskey here, not going to bowl you over, but will make for many nights of whiskey sipping pleasure, at a pleasantly low cost. It has a remarkably similar malted cereal flavor to Old Potrero 19th Century Style 90 proof to start off with, and a long finish, which I can only say is reminiscent of potting soil, backed occasionally by some kind of obscure mushroom.
This one didn't quite put up enough of a fight against Old Potrero's 19th Century Style, 90 proof rye, but butted Black Maple Hill's 18 year old down to the No. 8 spot, and effectively kicked Wild Turkey Rye out of my Top Ten. Here's how the current rye list looks.
Top 10 Rye List
1. The Classic Cask Single Batch 22 year old
2. Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 year old
3. The Classic Cask Single Batch 21 year old
4. Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 year old (final release)
5. Sazerac 18 year old
6. Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey (90 proof version)
7. Sazerac 7 year old
8. Black Maple Hill 18 year old
9. Old Overholt
10. Jim Beam Rye
This one didn't quite put up enough of a fight against Old Potrero's 19th Century Style, 90 proof rye, but butted Black Maple Hill's 18 year old down to the No. 8 spot, and effectively kicked Wild Turkey Rye out of my Top Ten. Here's how the current rye list looks.
Top 10 Rye List
1. The Classic Cask Single Batch 22 year old
2. Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 year old
3. The Classic Cask Single Batch 21 year old
4. Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 year old (final release)
5. Sazerac 18 year old
6. Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey (90 proof version)
7. Sazerac 7 year old
8. Black Maple Hill 18 year old
9. Old Overholt
10. Jim Beam Rye