This came via a friend who is all calm on the outside and full out death metal on the inside. Only guy who I know that broke his hand in residency by punching a wall. Absolute hell of a guy. A medium, orange-tinted amber. Thinner appearance. Nose bursts with butterscotch and bread notes - something of a leavened dough. The latter yields a bit of yeast funk. Herbs and spices start to come out next - bay leaf, thyme, tad of eucalyptus. Earthy clay, dried cherry, slight tobacco. Youthful and grain forward - as in 2 years youthful (but no way to say for sure). There is a more coating feel than expected based on proof and appearance. The palate is a tad hot but not harsh. Following the youthful yeast funk the doughy rye notes the spice sets in - dare I say a bit of pumpkin spice latte. Plenty of light caramel, bit if fresh cut apple to round things out sweetly. Maybe a bit of a hot buttered rum or kettle corn finish. Does this make me think GWAR? Can’t say that it does. Frankly speaking, all I know about GWAR I learned from the film Empire Records around 20 years ago. Talk about flicks that I couldn’t tolerate as my current self (and may reveal faults of my former self). There is probably a dash of hormonal, teen spirit here - and maybe that’s where the nipple piercing, costume-wearing, death metal stuff kicks in? Sort of like sweaty socks and oily faces - this just needs more time. Like 10 years. And on that note, I’m pretty sure I would have called the cops on my former self and will take a moment to reflect on the divine mercy that has gotten me this far…
About this bottle
Following the inaugural release in 2021, Catoctin Creek and heavy metal band GWAR have teamed up again to release Ragnarök Rye. It's a pot-distilled rye whiskey which is aged initially in charred new white oak barrels and is finished in sugar maple & cherrywood. New for the 2022 batch are the five collectable metal die cast toppers representing each of the five members of the band. The label matches the artwork for their new album "The New Dark Ages" available digitally and CD July 15, 2022 with vinyl and cassette to follow in September 2022. The whiskey launches June 27, 2022 with 1,000 cases available.
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 2 parsed reviews.
The cherrywood comes through immediately, adding a fruity, cobbler-like character. Very flavorful, but light in body. Curiously, the rye spice is almost subversive to the cherry and sweetness of the sugar maple barrels, coming in only towards the beginning of a long finish. Elements of baking spices, candied nuts, cinnamon toast and brown bread carry through the experience. A very easy to drink Rye that doubles as a great talking piece on your back bar.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
