Dustin Gandoff
Nose
Herbaceous | Pine tree needles | Tree sap | Baking spices | Christmas tree field
Palate
Light oak | Malted barley | Thin caramel | Berries covered in chocolate | Bold baking spices | Rye spice | Green bell peppers | Non-traditional rye flavors
Finish
Rye spice | Light leather | Light malted chocolate | Hints of caramel | Dry oak | Lingering spice
Overall
An untraditional mashbill delivers one very untraditional-tasting rye from Mile High Spirits.
Mile High Spirits is based out of Denver, Colorado. Having had a chance to visit the distillery, I appreciate the fact that the company pushes the boundaries when it comes to the grains they use in their whiskeys. This is no exception with this latest single barrel rye, which contains three different rye varieties along with smoked malted barley.
The result of these varied grains? A non-traditional rye that will make you pause to figure out what you’re tasting, but never gets so weird that you want to turn away either. A noticeable amount of Christmas tree field scents kicks off the sip, with pine needles and tree sap jumping out. The midpoint is full of a hodgepodge of various flavors that form an incredibly curious combination when taken together. The finish displays more non-traditional notes, ending things with classic rye spice, oak, and leather notes. Taken as a whole it’s actually an enjoyable sip but pushes you to really sit down and dissect what you’re taking in and think about the sip as a whole.
The bottle in review comes from barrel 17G26.3A.2.
Classification: Straight Rye
Company: Mile High Spirits
Distillery: Mile High Spirits
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 105.6
Age: 5 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed blend of Midwest Rolled Rye, Colorado Field Rye, German Malted Rye, Beechwood Smoked Malted Barley
Color: Weathered Copper
MSRP: $60 (2023)
“I appreciate the detailed description of the flavors and aromas present in this drink. It gives potential customers a good idea of what to expect and helps them make an informed decision. Overall, it sounds like a unique and interesting combination of flavors.”
This reviewer seems to have a keen sense for detecting subtle flavors and aromas in this whisky. Their descriptions of the nose, palate, and finish provide readers with an in-depth look at the various notes present in this drink.