Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Straight Rye

Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "BCBC 2" Mashbill - 95% rye / 5% malted barley Age - 8 years, 3 months 59.5% abv; 119.0 proof Open 4 months Did not purchase the bottle, received a 2 oz sample Nose - Strong herbal rye spice, clove, menthol, fruity gum, chalk, powdered sugar, frosted cinnamon bun, medium oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Fresh conifer needles, pine sap, anise, cardamon, black pepper, light caramel, unsweetened gingerbread, and chalky gum. Finish is medium with bitter herbs, heavy rye spices including black pepper, clove, anise, and strong ethanol bite. My club (and many other enthusiasts) raves about Traverse City picks, but I've avoided them due to cost. It's pretty easy to get 6+ year MGP rye for a lot less money. Based on this pick I think I made the right call. This is classic MGP rye with the ethanol and spice ramped up a couple notches. Personally, I've had equal or better MGP rye from Sagamore, Smooth Ambler, Templeton, and O.K.I. Unless you get to try it first, I'd save your money and buy a pick from one of those distilleries.

58.8% ABV. Bought at distillery. Tawny color. Somewhat demure aromas given the strength. However, still sports caramel, cinnamon, wood char, mint, mustard greens, burnt toast, grape jelly, brown sugar. Aggressive on the palate with the alcohol burn amped above expectation. Some spice, wintergreen, stewed mint, and bread; but very bourbon-like for a rye. Some spearmint and marmalade on the finish. Probably jaded from having the Willet at the same time for $30 less. That's definitely a superior spirit. In hindsight, the North Coast Rye was the better option. Still a very solid bottle

The barrel proof offerings from TC Whiskey are significantly better than their standards. Hoping the Rye follows suit. Nose is light on burn with a hint of sweetness to the classic Rye notes. First sip packs a punch at nearly 120 proof, but not in an alcohol forward burn. There is some Rye sweetness in there with some cardamom edges. The finish is the star though with a lengthy smooth habanero burn. Overall not quite as nice as the BP Whiskey. At $80 I will probably not buy another when this runs dry.

Nose - spearmint, lemongrass, herbal; very rye forward Palate - classic rye spice, spearmint, but nice caramel sweetness Finish - quick easy finish. Really drinkable but classic rye.

Nice complexity, good taste profile. Not very burny given the proof smooth and robust.

MBC “Spicy Meatball” pick. Thanks Griffin! @OtisDB @Zslug