Wild Turkey Master's Keep Cornerstone Rye

I was excited to be able to finally acquire a bottle of Masters keep, and especially excited that this version is a rye release, which tends to be a favorite of mine. Originally nosed and tasted neat. Nose: Despite the high ABV, it's smooth and not too hard hitting. Vanilla and cinnamon are the first notes, however further exploration goes well beyond that. Layered in are notes of fresh picked dill, as well as an underlying sweetness. I no longer detect the initial cinnamon hit I got, which may have just been due to the alcohol content. Water brings out the vanilla even more and mellows the spice slightly, not surprisingly. Palate: The high proof is far more evident on the palate than the nose on the first sip. Warming and sweet. The rich initial impression melts into a nice sharp spice as well as some of that dill hint that was present on the nose. A few drops of water bring out some vanilla richness (and also will make this pour last longer!). The extra age of this rye really gets the oak flavours working in the mouth and everything just seems to come together in a beautiful harmony, so much that it's seeming hard to isolate. Another full proof splash really feels vanilla and custard forward. Finish: This is where the oak and rye spices flourish. The spices and oak tannins continue to dance around the back of my hard palate. Vanilla and these flavours enjoy a wonderfully long presence. Overall I am impressed. I am a fan of Wild Turkey, and have tasted one or two of the previous iterations of Masters Keep. This is a very rich rye that doesn't lose the characteristics of a nice rye, while balancing it out with sweetness and a well aged bourbony profile. I sit here, twirling my imaginary waxed moustache and feel very fortunate to be able to own and enjoy a bottle like this.

Nose: The nose hits you with the aroma rye bread fresh out of the oven, with side of sweet honey butter. There's a baking spice note that comes out more and more the more you sip, but the initial nose is primarily a balanced rye grain/sweet/and almost savory notes. It's really enjoyable. Palate: A rye grain pops in and quickly vanishes on the top of the tongue. This is followed by a huge rush of apple pie spice on the midpalate. The apple pie spice transitions into a flavor that reminds me of potpourri, but definitely nothing floral, it's remains on the spicy side. This whiskey is sticky, and clings to the roof of your mouth. Finish: The finish begins with the spicy notes from the palate and eventually ends with a honey sweetness and fresh apple. The length is fairly long. By no means did it last forever, but much longer than the average finish. Overall: Much more delicate than I would have guessed. I'm so used to ryes (or at least the good ones) having a really heavy berry syrup flavor. This was a very nice change of pace. I'm not sure that I'd pay for another one, but I have no regrets at all with this one. The combination of sweetness, spice, and mouthfeel makes this seem like a top shelf rye.

Neat. Opened over six months. Reviewed Rare Breed Rye earlier today and decided to have a pour of Cornerstone. It’s been awhile. Off memory, I believe I called this one of the best Ryes I have ever had. Time to see if it still lives up to that billing. The nose on this is just so perfect. The rye comes across as this fresh out of the oven cinnamon roll dosed in vanilla frosting. Beautiful citrus notes of orange and lemon. Hint of fresh cracked peppers. Hint of salted chocolate. Honestly on paper it’s the same notes as the Rare Breed Rye but the Rare Breed Rye isn’t fresh out of the oven, it’s been laying on the counter a few days. Smooth like silk on the tongue. Vanilla frosting initially on the tongue but gets darker into a charred caramel. Cinnamon roll comes through on the taste with a hint of refreshing orange. The oak is really coming through on the legs as a salted chocolate. I need to buy a back up bottle of this while I still can. Close to the top of what a rye can be.

I received this bottle as an overly generous gift from my (obviously) favourite friend. I've wanted to try this for some time and ecstatic to have a bottle of my own. Initial tasting was at original proof but at 54.5% it's a bit hot for me. I added water to bring to about 47%, which is my sweet spot. Nose: Some ripe red apples and maybe a slight hint of peach. However, vanilla and caramel stand out to me here. I think caramel apples is a good overall summary of the nose. Palate: Initially salted caramel but the delicious rye spice quickly emerges. Pepper and cinnamon are prominent here. Finish: Long and spicy. More pepper and then a really gentle bitterness persists on the back of the palate for some time. Overall this is fantastic and I'm definitely grateful for my excellent friend @BradMacario!

It’s December 11, and I’m going to try a new rye whiskey every day this month. And while my rye game is not as weak as my Scotch game was this time last year, I’m always up for suggestions on good rye whiskies. And now that I have goals (it’s good to have goals), there are some key players I could use your help finding. Send me your most intense contender. Goals (abridged): 5 ryes. 4.5 stars. Readily available. (2/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10) I want to recognize the difference between any bourbon and any rye. First try. One of these must be an Empire Rye. I want a raunchy rye. I want the one that tastes worse than WTMK 17 BiB. The blue box. Sorry WT, y’all should be ashamed. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This stuff is devine. Age: 9-11 years Nose: cherry cough drops, caramel, vanilla, baking spices. Palate: SO viscous and syrupy. The cherry menthol tickles the front of the tongue, and is washed away by the spice creating an amazing hug. Clings to every part of the mouth. Glorious. Finish: perhaps the best finish I've ever had on a rye. It goes and goes...still going. Lingers as long as an islay, but it's sweet and spicy instead of ash. In the end, this is a banger imo. I've enjoyed 4 pours of it since I bought it a few months ago. Some folks say that they can't tell it's a WT product...I think if you're into Turkey, you can tell...the cherry spice gives it away. Great stuff. Ready for RB rye!