Hochstadter's Slow & Low Rock & Rye (84 Proof)

Appearance: Clear amber-gold Aroma: Oak planks, herbal notes, orange oil, aromatic bitters. A pre-mixed whiskey cocktail. It's also oddly reminiscent of young malt whisky that has been matured in resinous first-fill bourbon casks. Flavour & Texture: Spicy-sweet arrival that grows as it sits on the tongue. Herbal, honey-sweet but not cloying. The orange note is prominent on the palate and cuts through any heavy sweetness, eventually dominating the agreeably bittersweet finish. This is an OK whisky-based drink but I don’t think it is accurate to class it as a liqueur. Liqueurs should be able to stand alone as an aperitif or digestif regardless of their use in any other context, and they also customarily have a greater sugar content than is found here. This is more properly classified as a "flavoured whiskey". Whilst this is palatable neat it benefits from being served with a big chunk of ice or a mixer such as dry ginger ale. It's OK but a bit "meh" and I'd never buy a bottle. The official tasting notes are on-target but I don’t think this is worth anything like 88/100. Thanks to @KT66 for the tasting sample “Average” : 76/100 (2.5 stars)

Quoting from the bottle: “The drink itself is mellow with slightly sweet flavours exceptionally balanced with citrus, grapefruit and rock candy notes. A smooth, long finish follows, reminiscing of honey, orange and rye whiskey character” What. A. Crock. Of. Shite. My honest notes: N: Orange. Orangey. Orange. P: Orange. Sticky sweet oranges. Orange. Did I mention orange? F: Short. Sticky sweet honied orange. All orange. Lots of honey sticky sweetness. Do not be fooled to thinking there is any notion that this is rye or has rye flavours in it. No spice, no grain, no barrel. Just orange crap. I guess the only redeeming factor is that they get the orange across well. I have no idea how to objectively score this as a whisky. But I wouldn’t buy it, I couldn’t finish drinking what I was poured either. That’s never happened before, so that can’t be good and so neither can the number of stars I give it (or lack there of). Point for orange. Distiller whisky taste #79

Color: Golden amber / Slightly orange Nose: Orange | Rock Candy | Honey | Angostura bitters Honestly, it does a good job mimicking the aromas of a classic old fashion. Slightly more orange than I am used to but overall a good representation of the classic cocktail. Palate: Syrupy mouthfeel with an accompanied medicinal cough syrup note on the initial sip. Orange, citrus, lemon, rock candy, and slight rye spices. Overall similar to an Old Fashioned but artificially sweet. Finish: The sweetness outpaces the rye spice in the finish with notes of tangerine. No heat and not very lingering.

This is another drink I was able to try over the weekend and it is not my cup of liquor. It is a cool looking bottle and a classy label but the liquid inside is second rate. It is sweet and a little bit spicy but the balance is all wrong. My dad and I mixed it with several mixers and vanilla coke was good and ginger ale was not bad but none of the regular Rye cocktails were worth drinking. This is a novelty drink at best. If you like it fine but it is not high on my list of things to drink.

Medicinal, like sugary lemon cough drops, at first. Feels light and crisp. After letting it sit for a bit, flavors of graham crackers, cinnamon and... grated orange peel (orange pomander-esque)? After continued sipping, I'm reminded of Froot Loops (!!) --and...orange Smarties? Overall, this is a pleasure to drink! It tastes sunny and sweet. Uncomplicated. 🌞 Good choice for an instant cocktail. ... 2nd tasting: Yup. Boozy Froot Loops (or is it "Fruit Loops"?).

Not for sipping. I went in and was told this was a rye. This must be made with cocktails in mind. I was at a party when I sipped this. I have not been able to get the taste out of my mouth and it has spoiled my appetite for whiskey in general for the time being. Again. My experience is probably standalone and unique, and I am a whiskey guy, but for me, I wont touch this with a 10 foot pole.