Stellum Rye

There's not as much of a story behind this one as there often is with the whiskies I buy. It's not particularly an event whisky. I like Rye. This one's cask strength, made by the same people who make Barrell, and in Jersey, where I spied it, it was $46.99 which makes it the cheapest cask strength rye I've found (and that's also a tad below MSRP I believe). That said, it isn't as good as Alberta Premium Cask Strength. Nor is it as good as Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye. Nor is it as good as Sagamore Spirit Single Barrel Select Barrel Proof. Nor is it as good as either of the Knob Creek Single Barrels I've tasted. And the main reason it's not as good isn't because it's bad, but because it lacks the complexity of those other high-proof ryes. What it has going for it is that neither the nose nor the palate smell or drink like a rye of 116 proof. In fact, side-by-side, it's maybe a bit more strong than the Russell's Reserve 6, which is the only other rye I have open, but not by much. In other words, it's much gentler than its proof would speak of. But I mentioned lack of complexity. Not necessarily a bad thing, as this is still strong in the flavors it offers (sometimes songs with just three chords can still be amazing songs), which are mostly spearmint and rye spice, maybe a bit of clove and cinnamon. It's like an alcoholic stick of Wrigley's on the nose with the mint being prominent, whereas on the palate, the rye takes over and the mint takes a backseat. There's a nice moderate finish of cloves. And overall, I'm certainly not regretting paying $47 for this bottle. I'll put it to good use. But it's not necessarily one to go out of your way to purchase, and it's certainly not something to overspend on. Honestly, it's got a certain evergreen quality, maybe a little pine running through it, refreshing like that pine tree air freshener I used to beat against the dashboard of my friend Pete's 84 Ford Escort to make the car smell less like four teenage boys and antifreeze. And it's not a bad dram for the holiday and my end-of-year vacation. Tonight I've put on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, so that's what I'll be doing for the next hour and a half, sipping Stellum Rye, watching Chevy Chase act like a fool. All-in-all, not a bad way to spend and evening. Now let's just hope I don't spill it and fall asleep. I don't want to wake up hearing, "Why is the carpet all wet, Todd?" and have to respond: "I don't know, Margot!" Now let's try it on ice.

Nose: Freshly fruity and fragrant. The usual suspect rye spices are present but it’s light and delicate with lifted citrus, pine forest and menthol/mint aromas. There’s also a ginger note and inhaling this is not unlike smelling alcoholic ginger ale. Palate: Spicy/sweet. A fruity arrival and also a flavour that is reminiscent of dark ale with honeyed malt-extract notes. The palate is subjectively heavier and “darker” than the nose, but that’s probably due to the moderately high abv. Peppermint, mint and pepper in the development. The texture is dry and a little hard, again probably due to the higher than usual alcohol level. Finish: Medium. Same as the developed palate, slowly fading to minty spices and peppercorns with a tannic tingle. Pleasant, but young and generic. I enjoyed it but the local price is absurdly high and I would never buy a whole bottle. I’ve also been spoiled lately as several Australian distilleries have been bringing out rye whisky over the last few years and any of them leaves this for dead, and at half the price. At the same price Peter Bignall is producing rye whisky in Tasmania at his "one-step-away-from-moonshine" distillery that is stunningly oblique and interesting, and that’s definitely not something I would ever say about Stellum. Perfectly OK, but only just above average, and not recommended due to the price. Tasted from a 15ml sampler. “Above Average” : 82/100 (3.25 stars)

Tri State rye from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana brought to you by Barrell products. This nearly 120 proof rye should be bold and flavorful like it’s bourbon brother. Color - deep gold almost an amber like appearance, looks thin but the legs run pretty viscous. Nose - bright, golden pear, cedar, honey, and baking spice cinnamon and and apple notes (baked pie) are deeper into the glass. The nose was not overwhelming or strong but it was pleasant. Palate - spicy spearmint, honeyed wood, cedar and cinnamon tingle your taste buds. The flavor is bold but on the dry side, the finish is thin but lasting, the liquor is slightly viscous and very acidic the heat from the barrel strength lingers on your palate long after the taste has dissipated. The lasting finish is mellow but pleasant, honey, cedar, weathered leather and mint fairly balance but fairly pleasant. The Stellum rye is a true follow up to the bourbon counterpart, at times its bright and exhilarating, mellow yet complex, while it doesn’t bring out the sweeter taste it’s complexity makes up for it. This serves as a decent grab at its price range but leaves a bit to be desired as some small batches or single barrels in this price range feel more complete and well rounded, but this is a great intro into the barrell offerings. - the scotch guy

Another MGP 95/5 rye, but I’m a little curious as to what the blenders at Barrell can pull off. Nose is full of spearmint, pine, lemongrass, and basil with a hint of graham cracker crust underneath. Definitely a sprucey affair. Palate pretty much matches the nose exactly with some richer honey in place of the graham cracker, but all other elements are present. Some camphor, menthol, and peppermint as well. Flavors definitely come in swinging, so that’s a plus. Finish is more mint with some pink peppercorn (closer to chili pepper than black pepper) And therein lies the rub; there is a lot of “sameness” here. Mouthfeel shows the youth of this product as it’s quite grainy. Ultimately a bit of a miss for me, as this lacks some complexity and depth and has a few rough edges. It’s not bad, but it needs…something, and I’m guessing that something is a bit more age. At $58, there are better rye options out there. Not a rebuy for me.

Open 3 months Nose - Hot and heavy rye spice, eucalyptus, pine, herbal, grainy, green apples, honey, and strong ethanol. Palate - Pine sap, herbs and mint, honeysuckle, unripe apples, sharp and dry baking spices, and black pepper. Finish is medium with harsh ethanol and rye spice, black pepper, pine and juniper, light caramel, and dill. This is fine, but not something I'd buy again. I was excited Barrell was offering a more affordable cask strength rye, however, this does not stand out from the pack in this price range. It is all spice and floral notes without any depth of flavor, and a noticeable lack of fruit and sweetness. I would rather buy Pikesville, Old Scout, Templeton, Wilderness Trail, Sagamore, Knob Creek, Pinhook, Russell's Reserve, and more if I'm paying $50-65 for a rye. I'm going to finish this bottle with cocktails because it is not a great sipping rye compared to others I currently have open.

Nose - Cinnamon, cloves, caramel, hint of minty dill, sweet green grassy vibe (w/ water) Same Taste - Cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, hint of mint/dill (w/ water) Same Finish - Light bitter clove sweetness, gentle cinnamon brown sugar (w/ water) Same Score - 80/100 Final Thoughts - On the nose, has hints of that minty/dill rye vibe I get. Lightly dark/woody clove vibe with brown sugar sweetness. Nothing amazing, but at the same time nothing really off putting either. This feels like it'd be good to sip on when you just want a nice "spicy" rye but I feel like this would handle a manhattan or basic old fashioned pretty well. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.