Aroma - bright red fruits (strawberries, and apples), honey crackers, pie baking spices, brown sugar and caramel. Balance is decent. Smells like a good fall / dessert-like whiskey. Taste - Wow was that dreadful first sip. Second sip… not much better. This is like drinking a puree of prune juice and mint toothpaste. The port and the rye clash and the port simply body slams the rye notes. Maybe this might be good with some orange bitters and ice? Make it like an old-fashioned without the cherry and sugar… chug it… then do yourself a favor and never look at this bottle again. Place it out on the counter for birthday events and hope and pray that some poor soul decides to try this one out…. Then watch them from afar and video their reaction while they sip this dreadful beverage. Save your money.
About this bottle
Launched October 2017, Dark Rye is a new permanent addition to the Basil Hayden's lineup. It is a blend of Kentucky straight rye, Canadian rye from Alberta Distillery, and California port-style wine. This is listed as a "whiskey specialty" so not a true rye whiskey as such. It is bottled at 40% ABV and available nationwide.
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 50 parsed reviews.
Berries to start off, some dark pruney notes start to evolve to mild oak, hints of caramel, a nice prominent vanilla note along with some brown sugar notes. the finish is a bit odd, sort of watery but has a familiar rye spice that last quite long but isn’t unpleasant in the least. An alright sipper for a good price (35) for anyone looking for a sweet but spicey, fruity rye.
I love rye - but the port barrels give this a different dimension. I get those that don’t like that element but i think it smooths it out and gives it some of those rich, dark and dried fruit notes that makes it a fun dram. Add an added element to cocktails too
Was gifted another bottle of this for my 31st birthday. Still delightful, may play around with some cocktails but it drinks well on the rocks. Still cherry, fig, and a hint of dates. Short finish but unique and appealing.
Very sweet likely due to the port. Lots of caramel and molases on the nose and aftertaste as well as some dried fruit. Nice to sip straight and a little too sweet for manhattans in my opinion but a good overall whiskey.
This one has a clear, rust red appearance. The aroma is of pungent rye, with a full nose. A raisin note is detected. The flavor is moderately sweet, with oak and raisin. It has a light body and a dry finish. RJT
44 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
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