Tasting XIV: Best of Rye!

The second in a series of "open bottle" tastings...this one "Best of Rye!" We both brought four rye winners from previous tastings. John might have brought one for our guest taster...Howard! Fuggles was a no show! Does Fuggles not like rye?

Attending: John, Ryan, Marya and Fuggles Howard!

Usually we do this as blind as possible. Being a "best of..." we could probably surmise what the other was bringing... Still, Marya poured in another room. Then I mixed them up. Then for no really good reason, we put them in smell order. We didn't know what anything was until it was all over.

The Lineup

• Collingwood 21 Year Canadian Rye (J)
• Corbin Cash Merced Rye Whiskey (R)
• High West Rendezvous Rye Boulevardier Barrel (Binny's) (R)
• Lock, Stock & Barrel 13 Year Rye (J)
• Redemption Barrel Proof Rye - 7 Year (J)
• Russell's Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Single Barrel (J)
• Smooth Ambler Old Scount Single Barrel Rye - 8 Year (R)
• Whistle Pig The Boss Hog Single Barrel Rye 2014 (R)

Pre-Taster

We always have a known "starter" whiskey to open up the palate. This time we had three!

• Hudson Maple Cask Rye (R)

I brought this to a tasting awhile ago. It was pretty bad. And no maple flavor...so I dumped some maple syrup in it, shook it up and forgot about it. Now, it's not too bad. Maybe a little TOO sweet...

• Lock, Stock and Barrel 16 (J)

John loved the 13 year old. It makes an appearance below. Unfortunately, this has the distinction of being the only whiskey John has ever returned. Not totally terrible, but definitely not worth the price.

• Hochstadters Rye (H)

From the people who brought us Lock, Stock. It's probably alright. Don't really remember at this point.

Round One

Ryan Rendezvous Boulevardier Redemption Rye Corbin Cash Rye Collingwood 21

Marya Redemption Rye Rendezvous Boulevardier Corbin Cash Rye Collingwood 21

John Rendezvous Boulevardier Redemption Rye Corbin Cash Rye Collingwood 21

Howard Rendezvous Boulevardier Corbin Cash Rye Redemption Rye Collingwood 21

Rendezvous Boulevardier and Redemption Rye moved on.

Howard and Marya though this was the stronger round. Collingwood couldn't hang on with the higher proof stuff...

Round Two

Ryan Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Lock, Stock 13 Whistle Pig Boss Hog Russell's Rye SB

Marya Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Whistle Pig Boss Hog Lock, Stock 13 Russell's Rye SB

John Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Lock, Stock 13 Whistle Pig Boss Hog Russell's Rye SB

Howard Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Lock, Stock 13 Russell's Rye SB Whistle Pig Boss Hog

Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year and Lock, Stock 13 moved on.

John and Ryan thought this was the stronger round. Marya only thought one should move on!

Winners' Round

Ryan Redemption Rye Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Rendezvous Boulevardier Lock, Stock 13

Marya Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Rendezvous Boulevardier Redemption Rye Lock, Stock 13

John Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Rendezvous Boulevardier Redemption Rye Lock, Stock 13

Howard Smooth Ambler Rye SB 8 Year Redemption Rye Rendezvous Boulevardier Lock, Stock 13

It was tough...John's fav takes a dive!

The Winner

MGP! The top three were MGP derivatives! The Smooth Ambler rose a bit above the chaf, though...

Summary

It was fun having a fourth pallete (sorry Fuggles, "meow" is not helpful!). I still think I'm more a bourbon guy, though...ryes all seem to have a similar nose and narrow flavor range to me. John and Howard most likely disagree. Oh, Fuggles did finally show up, the little...