Old Ezra 7 Year Full Proof Straight Rye

Have had this stored for a year, time to cork it. Tasting this full proof 7 year Ezra neat. Rich copper color and coating legs in the glass. Nose is vanilla, dark toast, dry grain cereal, musty grass hay, lightly sweet. Big flash of ethanol and black pepper and oak; then sweet vanilla; then spicy grass, baking spices, and rye. Dry and bold and almost overwhelming in the spice level. But it gives way pretty quickly into a mint and dry grass finish that lingers and is quite nice. Not sweet, no sour aftertaste, just spicy residuals and tingling. Big and bold rye, holding sweetness in check. Actually, drinks better with an ice cube to tone down the ethanol and spice. This is going to mix really well in a rye-forward cocktail like a Manhattan because the high (114) proof and spiciness will hold up to sweet vermouth. That said, at $80, it becomes an expensive mixer. Will revist this as I give it time and try it in a cocktail or two.

Nose is rich and complex with raisin, date, furniture varnish, black pepper, cocoa nibs, orange peel, dark honey, burnt caramel, and smoke. Very unusual for a rye. Some pesky ethanol detracts from a first class experience. Palate is wild; cinnamon, white pepper, toasted almond, nutmeg, creme brûlée, cocoa, barrel char, and oak. Flavors are punchy and unrestrained. Finish is crazy long with a spice bloom of clove, ginger, and allspice. Some herbal notes in the form of wintergreen, lemongrass, and anise as well. Oak provides support underneath. Mouthfeel is medium bodied but prickly and hot with unattenuated alcohol. A fabulous disaster. Big, bold, flavors with plenty of flaws. I enjoyed this for its unconventional nature; there’s nothing on the market quite like it. At $63, it’s unique and a steal.

I’m a fan of Old Ezra 7yr bourbon so decided to pull the trigger on this one despite the price tag. The nose makes me think this will be a roller coaster of a whiskey. Sandalwood, walnut, pepper, brown sugar, molasses, bbq baked beans with ethanol fumes. Taste is thick and sweet and all over the map. Spicy like old time ginger-cinammon candy. Apple pie and pepper and oak swimming around in there with vanilla and honey to lighten the darker char spice flavors. Finish is long and hot and spicy - burnt sugar and molasses and oak conclude a wild ride. This bayou bbq rye is on the crazy side but i loved it and will have to test it against my favorites.

Nose has notes of caramel and herbs. Palate hits with hot pepper which lingers. Along the way, sweet salted caramel, anise, and coffee candies make an appearance. Finish is a little bitter. Ice killed the nose, but eased the rough edges on the palate nicely, bringing cinnamon foward as well. This bottle brings together the notes from MGP's 95% and 51% ryes making it quite interesting. I'm not sure the sum is better than the parts, however.

Nose: buttery spearmint, floral, curry spice (I know, weird) Palate: rich, full body, spearmint, pumpernickel bread Finish: drinks below proof, good warmth Overall: there’s a lot of whiskey I’ve tasted over the last 2+ years that aren’t worth the price to buy again. This isn’t one of them. It’s a solid rye that I’ll keep stocked on the shelf. Also, love the classic looking bottle and label; the bottle could be in a western.

Nose: a light, sweet honey with some herbal rye Taste: starts soft and sweet, then blossoms into a strong herbal, minty rye and oak spice. Opens up significantly with a bit of water. Finish: moderate finish - a lingering, warming, slightly bitter rye spice