Dickel Steps in the Rye

Jack Bettridge
Posted: October 26, 2012

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George Dickel Rye Whisky (90 proof or 45 percent alcohol by volume, $29.99)

APPEARANCE: Dark honey color with skinny, slow legs.

NOSE: Alluring mixture of sweet and spice at first blush. Some olive oil oozes in to be replaced by honey and the slightest bits of menthol and citrus.

PALATE: The first impression is gobs of mellow, doughy rye bread. Then comes the flush of spice, followed by a fruity sweetness. Once again: a fascinating combination in a rye that shows an urge to be all things to all whiskey drinkers.

FINISH: The finish is more candied, then slowly returns to the rye bread and takes on the character of a doughy, but sweet pastry.

CIGAR PAIRING: La Duena Petit Robusto ($7.50, 90 points, October 23 issue of Cigar Insider) Dark and streaky, this veiny robusto is earthy and spicy with touches of cedar and mint. Cinnamon-sugar sweetness and a touch of leather add complexity. The rye enlivens the spice content of the cigar, while also heightening the sugars. The cigar gives back by further rounding out the breadiness in the whiskey.

Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro Exclusivo ($11, 91 points, September 11 issue of Cigar Insider) Rolled and pressed with a dark, attractive wrapper, this cigar has a slightly firm draw but dead even burn. Its herbal start warms to show coffee, spice and earth. The Padrón shows off its nutty charms when paired with the Dickel, which just gets spicier. There’s a wonderful gutsy, meaty quality to this pairing that is hard to attribute specifically to either participant.

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