This is a 100% rye, triple distilled in a pot still and then aged in used barrels (that formerly held Woodford Reserve bourbon). As such, it is not technically "rye whiskey" but "whiskey distilled from rye mash." It is sold in a set with the Woodford Reserve New Cask Rye.
The color on this rye is much lighter than the New Cask, much more similar to a younger Scotch whisky. The nose is fruity with white wine notes. The palate starts with a bit of that trademark Woodford pot-still tang, then some fruit and toward the end some medicinal minty flavors (a little bit of Vicks VapoRub) and the rye. The rye spice finally comes to the fore in the finish.
Interestingly quite different (and nicer) than its sister bottle, the new cask rye.
Eww, that nose. Wet dog. Then some new make hiding a little vanilla. Borderline repelling.
Phew, that palate is way better than the nose. A nice uncomplicated cinnamon-spice thing that hits rather hard... but damn it, those new-makey notes return in the tails and just destroy most of the experience for me.
I can drink this and slightly enjoy it, which keeps it out of D range. It just tastes unfinished.
I guess this is a fantastic example of why American whiskey is aged in new barrels.
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