Two Pockets Full of Rye From Woodford

Jack Bettridge
Posted: November 23, 2011

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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection—Rare Rye Selection (92.4 proof, 46.2 percent alcohol by volume, $99.99 for two 375-milliliter bottle package)

Aged Cask Rye

APPEARANCE: The used casks show a distinctly lighter color: Champagne yellow. However, its thin legs give themselves up very slowly.

NOSE: As advertised it has an “Old World” nose—very honey- and fruit-like. There is also apple, tropical fruit and some spice, mainly in the form of cinnamon.

PALATE: In place of the pop of a new-cask whiskey, you get nuanced hard candy on the tongue with honey, butter rum, slight caramel and the cinnamon of a red candy apple.

FINISH: The expected rye tang comes at the end and is joined with toast and fleshy pear.

New Cask Rye

APPEARANCE: The deep amber color with hints of copper will identify the New Cask Rye, even if you wash off the labels. The legs are thicker and also quite slow to release.

NOSE: You could also tell the difference blindfolded from the nose. Huge caramel, vanilla, and toffee aromas greet you and are followed by licorice, pears, cinnamon, and honey.

PALATE: In the mouth it’s very Bourbon-like despite the all-rye mashbill. Caramel, toffee, licorice, and cinnamon all follow from the nose. Then come toast, honey, hard candy, butterscotch and red berries.

FINISH: Once again, the rye grain announces itself more on the finish with rich, not sharp, spice flavors, as well as fruit, buttered toast and raspberry jam that go for ages.

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