Oregon Spirit Straight American Rye

Nose - apple cider, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, rye bread, clover honey, grape, sweet tobacco, floral notes, wax, apricot, peach, and other stewed fruit, vanilla, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - apple, apricot, mint, ginger, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, honey, spicy rye, leather, tobacco, licorice, caramel, floral notes, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium length and hot with rye bread, spiced apple, and mint flavors. This is much sweeter and fruitier than other 100% ryes I’ve tried, specifically Whistlepig and New Riff (which is 5% malted rye, to be exact). However, there’s enough herbal spice to let you know it’s not a barely legal rye. The spiciness is muted, though I wouldn’t say balanced, by the fruity sweetness. The nose and palate are a veritable potpourri of aromas and flavors; everything but the kitchen sink, so to speak. A more elegant whiskey would integrate these contrasting facets beautifully, but here it’s more mixture and less solution. That said, this is not a bad rye at all. Probably slightly above average, per my rating scale. However, the elephant in the room here is the price. At $50 a bottle, this is up against the likes of New Riff, Pikesville, and High West DR!, which are either much better (Pikesville and New Riff) or of similar quality and much cheaper (High West DR!) than this offering. This completes my Oregon Spirit review series. I was more impressed with this brand than the other Total Wine house brands I’ve reviewed. Overall, each of the three expressions (Bourbon, Wheat Whiskey, and Rye) has been average or slightly above average for me, but none is competitive in price against offerings in the larger market.

Not a fan. It was on sale for $45 and I had a $5 credit for TW&M so I decided to give it a shot. HEAVY perfume on the nose. Very little sweetness. Plenty of spice. If you’re a fan of the Filibuster Rye this may be for you, but otherwise I’d stick to something a little more established and reviewed if you’re in the $50 price range. For cross reference against your pallet I love Pikesville Rye for a Spicy, rich flavorful rye and Woodinville for a slightly less spicy rich flavorful rye. For a more mild rye I enjoy Sazerac. And Rittenhouse and Old Forrester are my go to’s for a great budget rye. Hope this is helpful as I couldn’t get much of a read on the Oregon Spirit Rye from my research.

Let sit for about 5 minutes. 👀: Light ocher with sunset notes, legs are medium thick on the sides; 👃: Lively young rye notes, slight plastic scent, apple pie, bing cherries, candle wax, ethanol burning my nose; 👅: Oily mouth feel, waxy aftertaste, apples and pears, baking spices abound; 🏁: Long finish that doesn't dissipate, that wax taste starts and stays on, average rye.

Uncorking- nose - definitely rye, earthy, spicy. Carries into the taste. Taste - rye spice and breads, green mints and grass, baking spices with sweetness, oak barrel. 94 proof and no burn drinking neat but you get the rye spice heating. Finishes - sweet w spice lingering for a medium finish. Not overly complex but very pleasant and a nice rye sample.

An intense, Rye Whiskey from Oregon aged for four years in American white oak barrels. It has an aromatic birth with notes of clove, cinnamon & honey; while a spicy life adds notes of rye, baking spices & ginger; that led to a long & complex death with a touch of oak. March 2018 / February 2019 / August 2022

This is a good whiskey for the price. At 90 proof it drinks nice and easy. It has a good mouthfeel. The nose has cinnamon, vanilla, and oak. The taste hits with a bit of spice, cinnamon, cereal and other baking spices. The finish was crisp with a nice note of vanilla.