Jefferson's Rye Cognac Cask Finish

We all have them, don't we? The whiskey version of the one that got away. Bottles that catch your eye and rouse your curiosity but that you don't pick up because there's something else you want more, something for which you've already set your whisky budget the month aside. We put that second bottle off for a month or two, figuring we'll get to it, and when it finally moves to the top of the list, its gone! That was Jefferson's Rye Cognac Cask Finish for me. Part of the reason it wasn't at the top of my list was that, from everything I'd read, Jefferson's bourbon quality doesn't match up with its price; however, having read also that this is the first rye they've produced in years, and having an affinity for various cask finishes, especially when it comes to rye (see, e.g., my tastings of Hudson Back Room Deal and Sagamore Spirits Tequila Cask Finished Rye), this Jefferson's seemed right up my alley. And while, in the spring, the shelves in my area were well-stocked, by the time I got around to looking to purchase it, it was gone. Cut to a few weeks ago, I stopped into a FW&GS I don't usually frequent, after getting hit with my booster shot, and I figured that since I'd been a big boy and hadn't flinched when they jabbed me, I deserved a treat, and there the Jefferson's was, back from "Out of Stock." And of course, there's that green wax seal above the label that just shouts, Christmas whisky, even if this isn't technically a Christmas whisky. So, I figured it was about time, and before it disappeared again, maybe for good this time, I would get it. And... The rye spice mingles nicely on the nose with the cognac influence, which introduces a soft floral sweetness of lavender-infused ginger bread. There's an undercurrent of freshness as well, like laundry that's been dried on the line outside on a clement summer's day. It's subtle and enjoyable and not at all overwhelming. In fact, I'd say the aroma is muted, not in a bad way but in a way that has you going back to tease out exactly what it is you're smelling. On the palate, the floral notes continue, but we're also introduced to a wood note, though it's not oak so much as cedar. It's similar to the note in Glenfiddich 14 that I find to be soapy (so be forewarned, that note can hit all types of people in all types of different ways; I've seen reviews raving about the 14 and I could hardly finish the bottle) but here it stops just short of soapiness and remains enjoyable. The flavors, like the nose are subtle (actually much more subtle than any cask finished rye I've had), but the mouthfeel is a little wanting and watery. The finish, when it comes, is short and peppery, and doesn't necessarily prove the most memorable part of the experience (the most memorable part is probably the nose). This Jefferson's Rye isn't quite as satisfying to me as the Sagamore Tequila finished Rye nor is it as interesting as an experiment as the Back Room Deal (though of the two, this one is closer to Back Room Deal's flavor profile, which is odd because Back Room Deal is finished in barrels that held peated scotch). I'd say it's worth the whirl at $60 if you're already into cask finished rye, but if you're not, I think you can skip it and you're not missing out on much. Overall, it's a solid entry, though I think you could knock $10 off the price to make it cost what it's actually worth, but then again, price isn't a measure of quality most of the time so much as availability. Not bad, but I'd say it falls a quarter-star shy of truly spread-the-word exciting.

I apologize for the length of this review. You know the first time you try A Midwinter's Night Dram and you say to yourself: "Wow. Now I understand." This aims to do the same thing for rye aged in cognac that MWND did for rye aged in port. I initially wanted to say that "it just failed to achieve the same great heights," but now I'm not so sure it falls short. It's less punchy; it's more subtle; and here I am spending far more time with this bottle than I ever intended for a mid-week review. So, yes, let me be clear, I find this to be a successful and intriguing pour, and I recommend it. Nose: So many analogies come to mind, but there are three basic components here jostling for control: smoke, citrus, and pine - and once in a fleeting while, a hint of tobacco. In the interest of full disclosure, I tasted this in a kitchen wherein I just cooked bacon, so, I'm sure that had something to do with the first thing that popped in my head... but, I kept coming back to this image of eating a citrus braised, peppery cuban style pork shoulder in a restaurant next to a cigar lounge. Alternatively, it reminded me of being in a Vietnamese restaurant being served a mixture of salt, sugar, and pepper in a small porcelain bowl with lime to accompany some roast dishes. If neither of those food analogies work for you, you might also be reminded of Pine-sol but not in bad way. In a word, the rye quality here is very bright. Don't let it sit in your glass too long though. After a while, you lose some of the citrusy, more unusual aromas and it begins to smell more and more like a normal rye. Flavor: This drinks like it was never aged in new charred oak but was just a rye mash aged in used barrels from the beginning. It immediately coats your tongue like light syrup but without the sweetness. This is the texture of cognac, and this same sensation came to mind, first and foremost, with every taste. Then, before I was ready, it transformed into rye. This is a dangerous pour. I kept coming back, sip after sip, because I wanted to understand that hint of cognac better, but it kept disappearing before I was done. I understand why other members of this group suddenly found themselves with a half-empty bottle after a very short time. All-in-all, the flavors here are muted, but in a good way. It drinks easily and leaves you reaching for more. There is a familair rye spice background that ties everything together, but it never over-asserts. In the finish, the cognac comes back, accompanied by black tea and the citrusy lime quality that I first noticed in the nose. A light, smokey, sweet tea quality remains as the finish slowly fades.

Lucky enough to find this at a random stop at our local store. Picked up immediately despite some hit and miss with other Jefferson lines. Nose: a light nose... Maybe pit fruits? Apricot and vanilla. Sweet and approachable. Taste: the cognac makes an impact. Gives it a nuttiness reminiscent of a chestnut cask. I still get the apricot vibe, with just a hint of that chocolate others are picking up. Beautiful mouthcoat and a full rich creamy profile more typical to a bourbon than a rye. Finish: slight tingle on the tongue. Medium finish that lingers, but no burn. Impressions: Wow. I like this a lot. I think the balance of flavors are spot on. The rye spice is there (which I prefer), but it's not the only note. It sips like a high end whiskey to me, and for $60 is a welcome bottle. I would buy it again without hesitation if I found it.

I have had a few Jefferson tastes with mixed reviews. This one has gotten some pretty rave reviews so when I saw one on the shelf I gave it a go. Nose is a very nice fresh baked rye with a sweet edge from the cognac finish. First sip is something different for a rye. Very little bite for a rye. Cinnamon comes through in bunches in this pour with some very sweet edges. There is a soft cinnamon burn that comes on mid sip that never gets very strong, but delivers a slow warming finish. Overall I am really impressed with this glass. I know this will not be everyone's jam and purists will scream blasphemy at a finished whiskey. They can walk on by the shelf with this one, but for the rest of us this is a great pour. Grab one if you get the chance!

Deep golden straw color. Lots of fairly fast moving legs. leaves a nice curtain on the glass. Congac immediately noticeable at first nose. Golden raisins, white grape at first, floral notes and then the rye comes in. Light spice and barn must with bright oak notes. Syrupy, soft mouthfeel, with sweet green grapes up front. Moves quickly onto spice and warmth on the palate and chest with dry white oak. Finish has the green apple rye character mingling with vanilla, golden raisins, D'anjou pears and dry oak. This is pretty neat... The cognac barrels definitely compliment the rye, creating balance and accentuating the bright fruitiness from the rye.

Tried this at a bar for $10 as I thought it would be better to try than buy an entire bottle. The nose was sweet and picked up the rye/cinnamon. The palate was very different than I expected. Much more sweet but not too much rye (as you would expect from a rye) and came off a little hot. The finish had lots of cinnamon but didn’t last long. Overall, it was “okay”. Wasn’t great, wasn’t terrible and was an interesting pour. I wouldn’t buy a bottle due to the price but might take another pour for $10 again.