Whitmeyer's "Ryan's Liquor Barrel #5" Rye Review
It’s fun reviewing stuff I picked because I can be a bit more critical without hurting people's feelings. Additionally, it's fun reviewing sourced product that you picked because my buddy who bottled it can't be like THIS IS MY JUICE, MANNNNN!
This is sourced MGP rye bottled by Whitmeyer's Distilling here in Houston which is technical speak for found it in the back of a Big Lots! and may have arsenic in it. My buddy, Travis who owns Whitmeyer's, purchased 50 of these barrels and only seven were deemed worthy for a single barrel program. This is one of those chosen few. This particular bottle comes in at 116 proof and just under 4 years old.
In da nose I got apricot, cedar and a tad bit of chocolate. It certainly does not have that chemical rye smell which makes me want to punt kittens. In da mouf I got candied fruit, jam (not a specific kind just like jam, man) and and some earthy herbs doing herby stuff.
While I know it comes across as wildly biased because our group picked it but I did very much enjoy this. It absolutely has some youth on it and has a bit of a warm bite going down but the initial notes on the palate more than make up for it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it so tell me if you think it's hot ass garbage.