Appearance: The color of this increasingly popular rye is a dark brown football leather, with really thin, extra viscous legs. Nose: The nose is punchy and bold, but so good! Notes consist of cinnamon raisin cookie, fig and plum, dark chocolate, almonds, waxy chestnuts, fresh rye bread, and strawberry Twizzler. With a splash of water, it turns more floral and sweet with much of the complexity getting muffled. Taste: The palate is delicious, rich, and sweet with notes of chocolate mints, oatmeal cookies, subtle dried fruits, and the perfect level of wood tannins (for my tastes). There is also an ashy mouthfeel. With a splash of water, the taste becomes biting and imbalanced. I don’t recommend adding water. Finish: The finish is long with an aftertaste of black tea and mint. Thoughts: My notes here are from barrel number 461, bottle number 38/61 (just in case anyone was wondering). I love this rye! This is Distillery 291’s flagship whiskey and is winning awards all over! I would definitely recommend it and will be getting it myself again! If you’re not a rye person, I would at least try this and then reconsider. Distillery 291, as always, thanks! Cheers!
About this bottle
291 Colorado Rye is the flagship product from Distillery 291 in Colorado Springs. This rye whiskey is a single barrel release distilled in a copper pot still, made from a mash bill showcasing malted rye and corn. After approximately one year maturation, it's then finished with charred aspen staves, the distillery's signature treatment. 291 Colorado Rye Single Barrel is bottled at 50.8% ABV.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 19 parsed reviews.
Had a pour in the Denver airport before my flight... The nose is pancake breakfast sweet. Syrup and berries. I’m reminded of IHOP’s boysenberry syrup with hints of caramel. The taste is full on chocolate, mint, spice, and wood. The finish is wood and dark chocolate. It’s not a subtle whiskey at all. The flavors are cranked up to 11. It’s definitely different than most eyes I’ve had. I would have loved to try this in a cocktail, but at ~$80/bottle, I don’t think it’ll happen. It’s good but loses points for being overpriced.
I think I'm one of the outliers on this one. It reminds me of the Balcones I had... the taste profile being quite full on, one dimensional and artificial. The spearmint profile of which I'm not a fan doesn't help. I got varnish and wood glue on the nose. Taste was better but didn't help I had after Bunnahabhain 25 I guess with all its complexity and subtlety. I'm struggling to see how this won so many awards, maybe like Balcones I missed the glory period. That spearmint is just way too overpowering for me..
Poured neat. Robust nose of dark chocolate, cherry pie and licorice. I get some damp earthy notes as well. The nose carries into the flavor as well. If grandma whipped up a homemade chocolate cherry cheesecake this is what it would taste like. Some notes of cola and baking spices dance on the back of the palate as well. Excellent balance of proof and flavor, this is a very delicious whiskey!
A great alternative to Thomas Handy Sazerac. Big & bold, it brings the cinnamon, while also being well balanced. The malted rye adds a unique, but subtle sweetness. The low rye content makes this a great option for those who might not be as fond of rye, while still having a lot of complexity for the serious rye drinker.
This is incredible. So unique, from the nose to the finish. Not for the faint of heart though. An intense experience in every sense for all of the senses. Luxurious mouthfeel and huge cinnamon, buttered popcorn, caramel for days.
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