Dustin Gandoff
Rolling Fork Spirits Fortuitous Union Batch 002: Finished in Thomas H. Handy Cask Review
Rolling Fork Spirits set out on a journey to bring an unadulterated product to the American market with their inaugural release; they found success blending rum and rye. With their follow-up release, they decided to take it one step further and experiment with finishing the spirit in used Thomas H. Handy barrels. Although their theory was sound, the end result comes across as a bit messy.
NOSE
This bottle brings a unique aroma combination of both rum and rye, with notes of rye spice, burnt orange rind, Foursquare rum, orange marmalade and lemon.
PALATE
The palate is dominated by Foursquare rum, with notes of tangerine, orange chocolate, rye spice and some herbal hints.
FINISH
The finish is dry rye spice, burnt sugar, and cinnamon spice, with a quick flavor fall off and a lingering Foursquare aftertaste.
OVERALL
Jordan Morris and Turner Wathen have proven that blending rum and rye can be successful, but with Batch 002, the two variants almost feel like they are fighting each other. The rum component is far too overpowering and this release is a reminder that not all creative ideas work out as planned. It’s a shame as they found success with their original product
Classification: Blend of Rye and Rum Finished in Rye Barrels
Company: Rolling Fork Spirits
Distillery: Sourced from MGP, Foursquare, and undisclosed rum distilleries in Jamaica and Dominican Republic
Release Date: February 2023
Proof: 111.6
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 85% Rum (Blend of Foursquare Distillery, Undisclosed Jamaican & Dominican Republic Rum), 15% MGP Rye (95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley)
Color: Rusty Gold
MSRP: $55 (2023)
, but this experiment just misses the mark.
While the concept behind Rolling Fork Spirits Fortuitous Union Batch 002 is intriguing, the end result falls short. The blend of rum and rye seems to clash rather than complement each other, leading to a slightly messy and unbalanced finish. It’s clear that not all experiments are successful, but this release is still worth a try for those looking for something different in the world of spirits.
, but this experimentation may not be for everyone.
Overall, the Rolling Fork Spirits Fortuitous Union Batch 002 finished in Thomas H. Handy cask review is a mixed bag. While their previous release was successful in blending rum and rye, this one feels a bit messy and the flavors seem to clash instead of complement each other. It’s a reminder that not all experiments will be a hit, but it’s still admirable to see a brand pushing the boundaries and trying something new.
, but this batch misses the mark.
, but this one just didn’t quite hit the mark.
With the combination of rum and rye, Rolling Fork Spirits took a risk and unfortunately, it didn’t pay off as well as their first release. The fusion of the two spirits creates a slightly chaotic flavor profile, with the rum overpowering the rye. While it may not have met expectations, it’s a reminder that experimentation is an important aspect of the spirits industry and not all attempts will be successful. Kudos to Rolling Fork for taking a chance, but I’ll stick to their original batch for now.