It’s been a nice little break. But back to action…
Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey, Malted Rye. 48.6%
Let’s start with an old favorite of mine… Old Potrero Malted Rye. Sample generously provided by way of… friendly booze fairies. Notably, this is a regular release of theirs which happens to be 100% single malt rye, at respectable 48.5%. Old Potrero bottles have just went through a label change rebranding and, honestly it’s for the better. I do like the new labeling. Anyways, back to the sample. The nose is sweet fruit compote, mixed with old wood varnish, this is very cologne-like and sweetly musky. Eucalyptus and perhaps some boxwood notes. There really isn’t anything quite like OP ryes out there. Bitter burnt vanilla sugar on the palate, those malted rye notes, pine, tons of complexity. Both savory and sweet, full of vanilla and nearly amaro-bitter this mostly covers the entire spectrum of darker saturated flavors. Thick texture. Long and slightly bitter herbaceous aftertaste. Overall: Not as glorious as some of the single casks, which are higher proof and of course vary in quality. This is fantastic for a general (reasonably) widely available release provided one actually enjoys malted rye flavor profile. The proof is no slouch, so kudos to OP’s folks there; and I would recommend it for those that are unable to locate a single cask or don’t want to risk single cask variability… or scary proof numbers. The malted rye is a polarizing thing and I would argue that it cannot be everyone’s favorite… but when it clicks… it clicks. Value: MSRP being a $60 this is solid deal for a bottle with clear age statement and being something different that’s not produced in bulk at a very large distillery.
Score: B+
Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye 2022, 54.8%
Barrel #22B582 and sample provided by friend Michael (thank you Michael!), who’s really into the ‘22 crop of bottles of this release. Let’s dig in! The nose is complex and like a chameleon, keeps on changing. One moment it’s dried peanuts; another moment it smells like my shampoo, next it’s vanilla and wood, and then it’s back to peanuts. As far as peanuts concerned, some distilleries often got a clear roasted peanut butter note (looking at you Dickel…); this is specifically dried but not roasted peanuts. The palate is surprisingly just as dynamic as the nose. It keeps on shifting underneath me from vanilla bomb to something nutty while staying complex. It’s definitely a rye through and through, yet this isn’t a typical minty, spicy rye, but more of a nutty, woody, vanilla forward number. Long and slightly bitter aftertaste, with wood, it shockingly brings everything together and calms down with some cooling peppermint notes. One of the better aftertastes in quite awhile. Overall: Amazing aftertaste! Shifting and complex nose and palate that are more interesting in their shifty nature than any particular facet there. That multiple personality does bring a lot to the table and makes an experience dynamic. Value: Reasonable at MSRP ~$100… this is highly sought after on the secondary so buyer beware anything more that MSRP and the value declines fast.
Score: B+
J Mattingly PCS Pick, Private Barrel. Bourbon. 56%
I have this sample… I think it’s from friend Charu. Another of J Mattingly’s picks. No other information given. Gotta assume this is MGP since it smells like it. Vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg nose with a few roasted nuts in the background. Eye-wateringly hot for the proof. Lots of sweet vanilla and deeply roasted hazelnuts, slight soapiness. Bitter wood notes come up in the secondary notes and continue into medium length aftertaste. Overall: Not my thing here. It echoes some of the good bourbons out there and plenty of folks would enjoy but it’s not the profile I like… It’s too hot for me which is saying a lot and is quite odd for the 56% abv, suggesting it’s horribly unbalanced… A little bit like drinking liquid cinnamon spiked with charry wood. Value: J Mattingly’s are usually ~$100-120 or so… They’re not a good value unless a unicorn bottle.
Score: D+
Jack Daniel’s Bourbon, Heritage Barrel, 50%
A 2018/2019 special release, these are single casks proofed down to 50% abv. This is the blue-labeled Jack release, followed by green rye and red high proof editions. Thanks friend Charu! Nose is cherry and burnt vanilla caramel riot, feels almost a little sherried. The palate is sweet, woody, full of vanilla, velvet in texture and high in spice. That dry sherry or herbaceous associations continue here. Just half a step over the comfort zone for me on the bitterness. Aftertaste is a long with bitter chocolate woody notes lingering for a long while. Overall: Oh… I really like this! It may not be an everyday pour for me… but it’s actually real good one. The proof is right, the nose is just fantastic, the palate and aftertaste isn’t too overwhelming but jam-packed of flavors and complexity. The overall experience is great. Value: Originally priced ~$70… that’s fantastic value. Good luck now since it was a limited run. If you see it for anywhere under ~$100 gathering dust on the shelf it’s still a good deal.
Score: B+
New Riff Bourbon, Royal Liquors SP, Cask #7264, 52.55%
New riff Single Cask from Royal Liquors. I didn’t have a New Riff for a while now, so perhaps my new casual sip? Freshly opened bottle here, so it may change a bit with time. Orange marmalade on the nose, the good kind, where rind is used. Very much not what I was expected on the palate, almost zero sweetness. Tons of burnt orange zest, some butteriness in that thick texture. Lots of complexity. Mental image, burnt toast with citrus marmalade. Quite a bit of complexity, and gently rolling well balanced finish here that becomes buttery with time as bitterness fades leaving an interesting cinnamon and grilled orange skins aftertaste. Those orange cinnamon notes stick around for a very long time too. Overall: Totally not what I was expecting here. Almost too bitter, initially, the off notes thankfully fade. This will not break anyone’s mind but it’s a solid daily drinker so far that’s very ‘different’ from other bourbons I got… And I like different. Very solid after-dessert pour. Value: Solid for $45… New Riff generally presents a good value in bourbons from a craft distiller.
Score: B
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown