“Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade Whiskey Review”

Scarlet Shade is the latest release in the ongoing Orphan Barrel project, which was launched by Diageo in 2013. From the company’s initial press release they stated it was “A new project determined to locate lost and forgotten barrels of whiskey from around the world.”‍Scarlet Shade is the first ever rye release for the Orphan Barrel brand. The whiskey was distilled in Indiana (presumably MGP though the specific distillery is not disclosed by the company), aged at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, and then bottled in Tennessee. Scarlet Shade was curated by Master Blender Samantha Johnson. Johnson joined parent company Diageo in 2018, and has blended a number of releases including I.W. Harper 15 Year and Bulleit Rye.

A marriage of sweet and spicy scents makes for a delightful aroma overall. Rye spice is at the forefront. Toasted oak lays a base, and offers a hint towards the whiskey’s age. Ripe pear and apple mingle with baking spices providing a pleasant, contrasting dynamic between the individual scents. There’s a hint of dill on the backend, but its presence is fleeting.

The palate is more rich and full-flavored than is typically experienced with a 90 proof whiskey. Like the nose, rye spice surges immediately and forms a base for the remainder of the sip. An array of fruit flavors provides balance, with raspberries and blackberries at the center, along with a hint of orange marmalade. Very light aged oak lingers in the background. It’s moderately complex in terms of the range of flavors. However, it’s the richness of the sip and supporting cast of flavors that add depth, ultimately showcasing the rye’s age and balance to pleasing results.

Rye spice persists and as it transitions from the palate, baking spices reemerge. Stone fruit offers a contrasting sweetness, along with just a hint of caramel. The finish is long and carries with it a trailing rye spice as it fades. Overall it maintains a high level of quality that’s consistent with the rest of the sip, though it doesn’t bring anything new into the equation.

Since the Orphan Barrel line’s initial launch about a decade ago, releases have been slow to emerge but oftentimes end up being unique and carry relatively high age statements. Scarlet Shade is the brand’s first rye release, which is interesting because while most of the releases that preceded it were bourbons, there have been some blends and even multiple scotches. More recently Orphan Barrel released Fable & Folly, which was a blend of the last remaining stocks of

“Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade Whiskey Review”

Bottle Info

Classification: Straight Rye

Company: Diageo/Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co.

Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed distillery(ies) in Indiana

Release Date: May 2023

Proof: 90

Age: 14 Years

Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Color: Yellow Gold

MSRP: $200 (2023)

Official Website

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