Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels

I'll start by saying this; I love ryes of all types and I'm a big fan of finished whiskies. I've had a lot of sherry finished American whiskey, but I don't think I've ever had a port finished American whiskey. When I saw this bottle on the shelf there wasn't a lot to think about. I've never had a Dad's Hat rye before, so I can't separate the finish from the base. This is a classic Pennsylvania Rye and the mashbill is 80% rye, 15% barley malt and 5% rye malt. I expect it to have a full flavor. Tasted neat from a glencairn. The pour is a dark rose copper with good sheeting and thick legs on the swirl. The nose is big with notes of cedar, ripe orchard fruits, allspice, fruitcake, and port wine. It's very aromatic and there's a lot there to take in. What's not big in the nose (admittedly this glass rested a good 15 minutes after the pour) is alcohol. This is a very clean dram, tidy and lovely. On the taste buds this is creamy, sweet and just so slightly peppery. The barrel notes are quite distinguishable and the port wine barrel contribution is beautifully present, forming a foundation for the rye's baking spice spectrum of flavors. A viscous wash of dessert flavors presages the mid-palate wood. Then there's just the slightest touch of lemon pith late on the tongue before a slow, gentle dissolve into white pepper and caramel. It's very easy to drink. This is good. I think I like the Belle Meade Cask Strength Sherry Finish a bit more, and I think that is because of its higher proof and bolder cut. At 94 proof, Dad's Hat isn't a lightweight, but its comfy profile makes it feel soft and inviting. Like a 72 Buick LeSabre. Just slow down and enjoy this ride. I definitely like this better than the BM non-cask version, however. The very reasonable price for this bottle makes it an easy one to recommend. It tastes great, has plenty going on for the experienced palate, and remains sweet & creamy for those who are just approaching rye. If you like finished whiskey, or are a Speyside or HIghland fan looking for a tryst with something fresh, Dad's Hat has a lot to offer. This is a very nice after-dinner dram to enjoy with a Rocky Patel.

N: Earthy and herbal rye grain, dill, mint, white tea, roasted turkey(?). Notable red wine notes (obviously from the finishing) that add red fruit and apple. Maybe a dash of charcoal cooked coconut, and ethanol - decent blast to the nose. It is undeniably a young rye nose. P: Caramel, dried herbs, rye bread, sweet red fruit, good round butterscotch notes when you hold it on the tongue a bit, mint, white tea, fresh cracked rainbow pepper. Gets very herbal if you draw air across it - like you went to your spice rack and dumped all the dried herbs right on your tongue. Okay, not that bad, but pretty intense. F: More dried herbs, dill, red wine, boozy cooked caramel, dash of oak, dash of black pepper. As young rye goes, this is surprisingly drinkable, Have to think that port finish softens some serious edges in the unfinished rye. It's a solid dram and I've enjoyed it even though I tend to prefer the more Christmas-y flavored ryes (love me some bonded Old Overholt). This is more of the green rye grain type of rye - not as green as some I've tried, somewhere in the middle really. But I think it gets to the middle because of the port finish, not because of the underlying juice. Anyway, this is young, it drinks pretty young, and I'm hard pressed to recommend it to all but the most rye-loving drinkers out there. I also can't figure what justifies the price - maybe I over-payed, but this feels like a $20-25 bottle, not $40. ____________ Please come join an unofficial Distiller community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VSmCvzAQfH. We chat spirits (and other things) in real time while being a great resource to each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired, please post a comment and I will provide a new one.)

Neat, the nose emits some toasted caramel-toffee notes, with a hint of tannin, likely from the port barrels. On the taste (neat) there is some heat from the 94 Proof, with some more toasted toffee notes and a bit of sweet port notes. A splash of water tames the heat and allows more of the toasted fruit toffee come through. A tasty treat indeed.

N: Cedar, milk chocolate with a hint of mint. Like a thin mint on a cedar plank. P: Viscous and sweet. Chocolate continues with a mix of spice. Mid palate the sweetness hits a curb and goes bitter and astringent. F: Bitter and charred oak. Continues with a semi-sweet chocolate with that spearmint hitting again.

An in your face, powerful dram. Youthful burn and classic vanilla caramel flavors. Port finish leaves it some thickness, like syrup. Couldn't relate it to anything I've ever tried. I don't want to knock it for being different, but it just isn't my style.

Excellent, smooth sipper that is extremely well-priced and probably overlooked. As a port barrel finished rye, I think I might have to try this side-by-side with A Midwinter's Night Dram. It might be comparable at just over half the price