High West Rendezvous Rye Ed Mell Edition (2021 Release)

Rendezvous Rye, Limited Ed Mell label edition. Rendezvous Rye has been an award-winning blend of MGP straight rye whiskeys, but HW has now reimagined this as a limited supply release to include more of the distillery’s own limited pot still rye. Sweet grain, nuts, and light ethanol on the nose. Licorice, grassy, and lightly astringent in the mouth, with honey sweetness turning dry and hot. Spicy rye shows up in the finish along with more ethanol and a dry sour finish. Add ice and the whole drink blands-out, turns flat and non-descript. Disappointing. It's so much less than the older Rendezvous Rye of MGP sourced and blended aged ryes I've been enjoying for a decade or more. Living in UT I know this juice well. Is the problem the HW dIstilate? Or is it the blend of younger and younger MGP ryes?  At its premium price point, the quality of this "limited supply" just comes up short. HW labeling has become opaque since being bought by Constellation. No longer describes what whiskies were blended, mashbills, age statements, or even the sourcing states. Doesn't indicate how much of their own aged distillate is used, just "bottled in Utah." Price keeps climbing too, but quality, transparency, and consistency seems to have gone out the window. I'm disappointed in the direction they're moving--feel like they're hiding what they're doing (which is blending sourced whiskies), and doing that blending very well for years past with sourced aged Indiana and Kentucky whiskies. The label should reflect what this whiskey is, especially what their own juice is, and not hide behind vague descriptions and romantic allusions to 1820s fur trapping rendezvous, which weren't romantic. It's silly at best. The best part about this is the Ed Mell label. He's an amazing artist, Google him. As for the liquid itself, there are far better ryes at a quarter of the price. That's sad commentary on what had been a premium product.

High West Rendezvous Rye (Ed Mell Artwork) Nose: A good blend of nice rye spices— seeming like a fresh green rye grain note. This is a very sweet nose and is full bodied. Palate and Finish: On the palate sweetness comes through overwhelmingly, in all the right ways. The rye grain makes itself known, but it is not too spicy and not overpowering at all. There is an excellent sweetness on the palate and a nice short but rich finish on it. As it sits on the palate longer, the rye grain reveals itself more heavily on the end, and it, along with a fresh grass note are what is left. On the whole, this whiskey is quite enjoyable. The sweetness of bubble gum, the rye, and the sweet grassy qualities in it make it inviting to continue sipping.

Quite enjoyable. It’s not as transcendent as the previous bottling, but still worthy of a spot on the shelf. Equally smooth, but less complex. Nose: orange pepper and spice. Fresh wood. Palate: moist pound cake. Baking spices. Ground pepper. Hints of fruit and honey. Slightly floral. Definitely drinks like a rye. Anyone who drinks this will enjoy it. There’s no need to be critical! It’s a little too pricey to use in a cocktail (every day) but I bet it would make an unbelievable old fashioned on a special occasion!

I detect a higher corn mash compared to the standard Rendezvous? Nose is corn and citrus with some leather. Palette is sweet corn and vanilla with a splash of rye spice. Finish is straight oak smoke and some butterscotch, all of which vanishes quickly. Very good, sweet, smooth. Not as legendary as the standard Rendezvous though.

Whiskey night sample. Wasn't expecting much based on recent reviews, so may just be a case of lowered expectations, but I thought it was pretty good. Nothing in particular stood out from a small taste - fairly standard rye profile. Better than WT 101 Rye, but not worth 2+ bottles of the WT.

Nose is lemon, salt, dill. It’s floral too. Body is strawberry, chocolate, grain. Finish is more chocolate, with mild black pepper. Some walnuts on the finish too. This is tasty and unique, but I can’t help feeling like its a bit overpriced.