Ragged Branch Bottled in Bond Virginia Straight Rye

Nose: First impressions are of baking spice and alcohol for a slightly medicinal effect. Citrus notes and herbs emerge for a kitchen’s worth of aromas. The flavors match the nose, for a hearty and delicious dram that fits well within the Ragged Brach family. The body is light, the finish is mostly long, with a pleasant burnt treacle echo. Water enhances the citrus on the nose reveals a shy and soft butter note. However water does not help the flavor, making for a rather unpleasant one-dimensionality. This one is best sipped neat.

Tasted neat with water. Lightly syrupy mouth feel. Sweet spicy rye and bread flavors. Bottle says “hint of candy corn”, which I agree with (in a good way). Very good rye!

Nose: pumpernickel Palate: more pumpernickel Finish: pumpernickel Definitely a rye… smooth and flavorful but it’s basically like drinking rye bread.

Straight up rye bread