Litchfield Straight Rye Whiskey

My third review from my visit to the Litchfield Distillery yesterday afternoon. Tasted their Cask Strength at the distillery, and also brought back a small bottle to have in the comfort of my (parents') home. "Aged 4 Years"... drank with a small ice cube. Color: Medium copper/amber. Nose: Leather (think, "Old leather-bound book") and toasted corn... almost like Fritos! Palate: Initial sweetness with a nice tongue coating. Spicy tingle and slight burn ensues, as well as a nice warm chest hug. The higher proof (the highest of Litchfield's expressions) really makes itself known. Oak char comes forward on the back end. Finish: Long with a tingle that could almost be described as, "tongue-numbing". Raisin and licorice comes out on the tail end This is good. It wasn't my favorite of the five I tried, but it will either be #2 or #3. I'll know once I revisit the Straight Rye shortly...

My fourth review from my visit to the Litchfield Distillery yesterday afternoon. Tasted their Straight Rye at the distillery, and also brought back a small bottle to have in the comfort of my (parents') home. "Aged Not Less Than 2 Years"... Color: Light golden color. Nose: Cucumber (Wow! That's new and different!), Wheat Thins crackers. I am assuming what I am picking up is the rye, as well (It comprises 70% of the mash bill). Palate: Sweet and spicy like most ryes I've tried. I'm getting things but can't pinpoint what they are. Drives me crazy when I can't articulate. But it is very good and flavorful. Finish: medium with almost a buttery quality. It's not fair to pit a rye against a bourbon. But of the five Litchfield Distillery whiskeys I tried, this Rye scores high.

Sweetened raw rye grains and vanilla nose. Sweeter eucalyptus and raw dough, young oak. Cinnamon candy finish.