Review - Basil Hayden's Two By Two Rye
More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils… It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table … confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back.
Rating 2 Glasses
Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont, KY
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 80
Local Price (USD): $44.95
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Amber thin legs.
Nose: Rye leading to light vanilla.
Taste: Water flavored with rye and bourbon. Not cohesive, spice rolls to sweet.
Finish: Waterproof band-aids, very fast to run away and leave you relived the confusion is over.
Conclusion: Limited Release. More and more coming to the conclusion that Basil Hayden’s is the Lacroix of bourbons. Basically whiskey infused with essential oils and all over the map as far as flavors go. It's pretty pricey for what it brings to the table and there’s really no reason to pay any money to be confused. Two By Two Rye doesn’t give us anything to hate but nothing to bring us back. If you are looking for a decent Rye check out Michter’s Rye or High West’s Double Rye
Review - Michter's US-1 Limited Release Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey 2019
Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye.
Rating 4.5 Glasses
Distillery: Michter’s Distillery
Years Aged: NAS
Proof: 108.4
Local Price (USD): $79.15
Availability: Rare
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Caramel with rich long legs.
Nose: Pepper and rubbing alcohol leaning into butterscotch and cherries.
Taste: Rye spiciness and buttery smooth charred vanilla with a warming heat that rises slowly.
Finish: Oak and rye spice that lasts well into overtime.
Conclusion: Luckily we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to snag a bottle of this limited 2019 release. Barreled at a lower 103 proof allows the higher water content distillate to take on more of the flavors of the barrel and makes for a fuller-bodied whiskey. Bottled at 108.4, this particular selection from barrel No. 18F829 is truly a wonder to behold. Familiar but with a depth of flavor and ABV punch that you won’t get from Michter’s std US-1 Rye. It’s hot and spicy like a good rye whiskey should be and we can only hope to come across another in the future. For the money if you happen to see this one on the shelf at your local liquor outlet, grab it and don’t look back, you won’t be disappointed.
Review - Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye
One of those whiskeys that hides its true character until you get a taste of it…..Worth every penny so buy it when you see it and don't look back.
Rating 4 Glasses
Distillery: Willett Distillery (Bardstown, KY)
Years Aged: 3
Proof: 111.2
Local Price (USD): $64.90
Availability: Uncommon
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Light Caramel (aka... the soft supple fur of the Grizzly), slow thin legs due to the high alcohol content (aka happiness).
Nose: Do we dare nose at 111.2 proof? Astringent grainy sweetness and not overly complex.
Taste: A complete 180 from the nose. Leather, oak & rye spice. Just imagine a swift kick to the gonads delivered by Satan himself while riding an all black thoroughbred stallion straight out the heart of Kentucky.
Finish: A fleeting infatuation. The Jezebel affect. Like a temptress in the night it escapes you as quickly as it arrived.
Conclusion: One of those whiskeys that hides its true character until you get a taste of it. Perfect pairing with a Connecticut wrapped cigar. It’s not over the top as far as the proof goes, but with the rye spice and somewhat young nature it packs a good punch to the senses. Worth every penny so buy it when you see it and don't look back.
Review - High West Double Rye! Whiskey
Absolutely a great RYE and definitely a great value for such a well crafted whiskey. Pairs well with a cup-o-joe.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: High West Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 92
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Brass doorknob straight out of the 80's with medium to thick legs.
- Nose: Spicy rye, allspice, grassy, vanilla. Jeff described it as a smoldering campfire.
- Taste: Cinnamon, fennel, caramel corn with a little bit of oak.
- Finish: Medium length with lemongrass and the all to familiar rye spice.
- Conclusion: Batch No. 17027. Absolutely a great RYE and definitely a great value for such a well crafted whiskey. Pairs well with a cup-o-joe.
Review - Basil Hayden's Dark Rye 2017
The more you drink the more you get used to it but its not exactly what we would call enjoyable. The port addition doesn't do it any favors either.
Rating 2 Glasses
- Distillery: Kentucky Springs Distilling Co. (Owned by Beam Suntory)
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $49.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Fresh out of the tap rich maple syrup, thin & quick like Mo Farah.
- Nose: Cherry flavored Play-Doh and no, not the philosopher, but if so very likely had incredibly offensive BO.
- Taste: The aftertaste is worse so just swallow.
- Finish: Very organic and kind of musty. It doesn't hit you right away but when it does, all you want is for it to be over.
- Conclusion: We all had high hopes for this bottle as the port addition was intriguing but this unfortunately has a slightly offensive / funky profile from bow to stern. The more you drink the more you get used to it but its not exactly what we would call enjoyable. The port addition doesn't do it any favors either. It's a completely odd duckling and we give them credit for trying this blend (Kentucky Rye, Canadian Rye from Alberta Distillery & California Port). Unfortunately it just doesn't translate for us in the finished product.
