Long Island Spirits founder Rich Stabile named their bourbon and rye whiskeys after the First United States Volunteer Cavalry - the "Rough Riders" - originally organized by Long Island's own Teddy Roosevelt in 1898 to fight in the Spanish-American War. Bull Moose is a nod to Roosevelt who, after being wounded in an assassination attempt said, "it takes more than that to kill a bull moose." From then on his Progressive Party was referred to as the "Bull Moose Party." The whisky (sourced), is 95% rye and 5% malted barley, aged in 3 types of casks - new American oak, then ex-bourbon and finished in casks that once held their Pine Barrens Single Malt (distilled from Blue Point Brewery Old Howling Bastard beer.)
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Showing the most detailed of 16 parsed reviews.
The only thing to say about this whiskey is that it is not good. It tastes like a very unaged whiskey that had bitter, malt whiskey added to it. You can definitely tell it spent the time in the single malt casks, but it is not a flavor profile that should be added to rye, at least not this way. It smells bitter, tastes bitter and you quickly want to forget the finish.
I went and had a tasting down at their distillery. The Bull Moose is definitely a young rye whiskey, and slightly overpowering even with a few drops of water. Strong alcohol on the nose. The palate is rich in sweet citrus. Overall not too shabby, but nothing amazing. If you can get over to LIS, I would recommend trying their XO Brandy. It's s bit more engaging!
Expert reviewer Amanda Schuster wasn't kidding when she called this a "unique-tasting whisky." This Rough Rider Rye leans a bit too heavily on the "rough," aspect of its name. The cinnamon-strong flavor with malt cask heaviness exists solely to hide the youth of this not-quite-ready for primetime whisky.
Has some of the same floral, earthy notes as Corsair Quinoa but also red and black licorice flavors. Worth a try if you come across it to know for yourself.
Not as spicy as I prefer my rye. Has a sweet character, but not overpoweringly. Not super distinct, but a solid rye.
One of the blandest bourbons I've ever tried. Not terrible, just bland.
10 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
