Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye

Rating: 19/23 N: Loads of rich, sweet corn, but also lots of herbal rye with mint and spiciness. It smells interestingly nuanced, despite its boldness. P: Rich and fairly full, with bold corn sweetness mixed with a restraining sour mash flavor that I really like here. Quite hot and spicy. There's a nice, big amount of vanilla and a lot of subtle nuance. F: Lingering spices and burn along with sweet vanilla. The vanilla decadence grows slowly, but the sweetness and other characteristics diminish. - Conclusion - This reminds me of Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye (17/23), which sounds obvious and dumb, but I find that the Rare Breed bourbon doesn't taste all that much like Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon. This is quite nice. Putting the two ryes side by side, this is clearly not as rich or full, which seems like what I'd expect when comparing a Rare Breed with a Russell's Single Barrel. This rating is easily a 16, but I don't think it's a 19 and I'm wary about going with such a high rating. Right now, I'm liking this better than Rare breed bourbon. It's way better than Redwood Empire Lost Monarch (15/23), so definitely not below a 17 and probably at least an 18. I'm thinking 18 or 19. Probably a 19. Coming back to this, I think that vanilla brings this across the line to a 19.

Open 3 months Nose - Ginger, mint, pine needle, dill, peppercorn medley, lemon oil, cinnamon, spiced black tea, caramel, and strong ethanol. Palate - Spicy and savory herbs, lemon peel, black pepper, pine needle, gingersnap cookie, light tobacco, and clove. Finish is medium-long with bitter, astringent rye and oak spices, citrus cleaner, black pepper, dried herbs, and significant ethanol bite. I thought I'd give this a second chance a few years after its release. It was difficult to find that first year, and now it's readily available for $60 at most stores I've visited in 2023. I bought it when it first arrived in NC amidst a lot of hype, and was let down by the bottle. Given how amazing the Rare Breed bourbon continues to be, I thought the rye would be better. Since its release, countless YouTube reviews continue to heap praise on the Rare Breed Rye, and I don't get it. It's not bad by any stretch, but at this price point it's one of the worst ryes I've had. It has a savory, velvety quality but lacks the sweetness of a low rye mashbill or higher aged rye. And it also lacks the spice and herbal punch of an MGP rye. I'll take a Knob Creek or Smooth Ambler pick every time over this.

On the nose I get grass, rye grain, apple, maybe a subtle hint of vanilla, possibly a hint of cloves. It's a spicy drink - I get a real blend of spice on my palate- black pepper, maybe a bit of cinnamon, ground ginger, fiery rye. Beyond the heat, I get some typical rye flavors like maraschino cherries and almonds. I find that many entries in the Wild Turkey line and Russell's Reserve tend to have apple flavors, and that's definitely present - whereas Russell's is a sweet and smooth sipping mellow rye, Rare Breed Rye is the other side of the rye coin - it's fire and spice. The finish is long and hot - more ground ginger, barrel char comes through with some nice woody charcoal notes, maybe even some cocoa. A great companion for a cool fall night, with pumpkin or apple pie, holiday gatherings, or a backyard campfire. A great addition to the WT lineup. This is a real winner. Definitely be picking up another bottle when I finish this.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye delivers a bold and robust flavor profile that commands attention from the first sip. The nose is rich with a combination of vanilla and caramel, complemented by subtle hints of baking spices. Upon tasting, the high proof makes its presence felt, bringing forth a powerful burst of rye spice alongside notes of toffee and dark chocolate. The complexity deepens with layers of oak and a touch of leather, creating a well-rounded and intense palate. The finish is long-lasting, leaving a warm, lingering sensation with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye is a true connoisseur's choice, showcasing the depth and character of a meticulously crafted barrel-proof rye whiskey.

Color: Light golden amber Nose: cloves, oak, and maybe a hint of cocoa(?). Palate: Drank with a small ice cube. Nice! Rye spice followed close behind by a good dose of sweetness. Orange peel, or a general citrus flavor, made a surprise appearance several sips in. This is a very complex and ever-changing Rye. I got a huge dose of "sweet grains" (whatever the hell that means) on my very last sip. Finish: Not sure how to characterize the finish. I guess it's short, but with lots of character. I had the Rare Breed Bourbon last year, and I loved it. So I knew I'd love this — I just didn't know I'd love it as much as I do now. They really know what they're doing over at Wild Turkey. I've not been disappointed yet by any of their offerings.

I know I am in the minority, but I really think this is a subpar rye. I do like the nose a lot. Noses more like a bourbon and gives off some subtle tobacco notes which I really like. However, the taste is extremely hot and does not follow through from the nose. I am not averse to high proof whiskey (just read my reviews), however this offer is all proof and minimal on the palate and leaves me quite dry. I have a bottle…glad I have it, but would not buy another with some many better ryes on the shelf both lower AND higher in proof that bring a taste notes and not just heat.