Hillrock Estate Cask Strength Single / Double Barrel Rye - 1ER Cru Sauternes #1

Nose is delicate and complex with tobacco, anise, musty barrel, Sarsaparilla, milled rye grain, buttered toast, and bakers chocolate. Ethanol 100% non-existent. Definitely enticing. Palate matches the nose very well with the Sarsaparilla/Root beer note from the aroma taking center stage. Also leather, figgy pudding, burnt marshmallow, sticky pipe tobacco, butterscotch, toffee, and candied ginger. Hint of grape from the secondary cask adds a nice touch. Flavors are rich for the proof. Finish has Is a slow morph which carries the palate forward but also brings cinnamon sugar, char, sweet oak, and just a hint of pepper. Mouthfeel is oily yet effervescent and hits with a “Pop Rocks” like tingle. Very non-traditional; if given to me blind there is no way I would identify this as a rye. Overall a pretty delightful dram. At $100, it’s not exactly going to make my regular rotation, but I can’t say it’s NOT worth the price either, as that premium price buys you a lot of complexity and uniqueness with no discernible flaws. I may buy it again…someday.

Got alot of spearmint on the nose and a mild mint and rose on the pallet.