From Ross and Squibb (MGP), straight rye whiskey from 82 barrels, aged 7 years, bottled at 117.2 barrel proof (58.6 ABV) in 2022. Tasted neat. Color is a nice deep rosie brown with strong coating legs in the glass. Nose is light cereal and grassy with some vanilla oak. In the mouth, rush of rye grain and spice and syrup sweetness. Then the ethanol rush hits--not unpleasant but there. That brings up a kind of acerbic tannic oak and leather flavor, dry and rather thin-feeling in the mouth. In the finish that tannic oak note mixes with rye spice and a fairly long sweet grassy exit. An ice cube really opens and rounds out this flavor profile, highlighting the sweeter grassier side of the rye. Makes for much easier sipping. And I just mixed this in a Whiskey Smash (mint, lemon, sugar, ice) and it really shines (although $$$ for a mixing rye). It's nice to see MGP as Ross and Squibb putting out and marketing their own product. We know they make great whiskies, so they should showcase the best of what they make in their own brands (Rossville and Remus), right?! But... I'm not sure they are... yet. But I'm ready to follow along and find out.
Rossville Union 7 Year Barrel Proof Straight Rye (2022 Release)
About this bottle
Released in April 2022, this barrel proof straight rye is distilled at Ross & Squibb (fka MGP) in Indiana. It's made with a blend of straight ryes with various rye mash bills. This annual limited edition release features an age statement of 7 years, a first for the brand. For this 2022 release, 82 barrels were selected yielding 3000 six-pack cases. It's bottled at 117.2 proof. (SRP $69.99)
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 6 parsed reviews.
Nose features grass, fennel, freshly milled rye grain, honey, oregano, thyme, pumpernickel bread, caramel, melon, and pine. Ethanol a little intrusive at times. Nicely complex. Palate is spicy and herbaceous, which comes as no shock. Big black pepper notes along with vanilla, caramel, mint, and a hint of leafy herb from the nose (at gunpoint I’d say oregano) Finish bring some welcome sweetness in the form of graham cracker and chocolate (where did THAT come from?) The rye spice from the palate turns into a chili pepper vibe. Peppermint in there as well. Mouthfeel is deliciously chewy. Pretty much what I want of out of a rye; with nearly equal parts sweet, spicy, and herbal. I believe I paid $83 for this which I feel is fair. Very solid.
Ive paid a lot more for ones i believe are behind this one. I'll be going back to see if anymore are left. As always had it neat.
Love this one from the sweet beginning and finishes with the spiceness of the rye!
Such a fantastic rye! @Zslug @Kyle-Metes-Randolph @OtisDB
Thick, sweet for rye, not harsh despite 123 proof.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
