Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

I’ve mentioned before that rye isn’t typically my preference. However, while attending a friend’s event recently, we came across this bottle and decided it would make a thoughtful gift. To our surprise, they opened it immediately and shared a toast with us, giving us the chance to sample it. Curious about how it measured up?…

Still Austin “The Artist” Straight Rye Whiskey

This is the second expression I’ve had the opportunity to sample from Still Austin. I’ll start by saying that rye whiskies aren’t typically my go-to, but I was intrigued by this one. This expression is crafted from 100% Texas-grown rye and aged for a minimum of two years. Still Austin is a craft distillery located…

Uncle Nearest: 1884 Small Batch, 1856 Premium Batch and Straight Rye Whiskey

The Uncle Nearest Distillery celebrates and honors the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, America’s first-known African American master distiller and the person who taught Jack Daniel the craft of whiskey. Today, this black woman owned whiskey has become the fastest growing American Whiskey in U.S. history. If that doesn’t make you want to clap, I…

Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey

Redwood Empire is a Sonoma County, CA, Distillery. This bottle is named after the fastest growing Redwood Tree, the Emerald Giant. For every bottle sold they plant a tree. That’s amazing for the environment but is this juice any good? Truth be told, when I heard about them my first thought was, UGH, another distillery…

Redemption Rye

This bottle was given to me as a birthday gift (thank you, Rich, and Aurora). To me, this rye whiskey is OK. It has a mash bill of 95% premium rye and 5% barley. It’s matured in new charred oak barrels. Nose: rye, sweet, vanillaPalate: black pepper, spices, and ryeFinish: oak and ryeABV: 46% I…

Balcones Texas Rye Cask Strength Single Barrel Collection #20166

Fun fact, I lived in Southern Texas for two years. It was a state that contributed to my years of growth after college, so it has a special place in my heart. Balcones Distilling was established in 2009 and is in Waco, Texas. What helps their aging process? Well, their hot weather off course. Listen,…

Keeper’s Heart Irish + America 

What exactly makes renowned Irish Master Distiller Brian Nation leave Ireland for Minnesota? I’ll give you a hint, it wasn’t the weather. Monday I had the chance to spend an evening with Nation and co-founder of Keeper’s Heart Michael O’Shaughnessy. Keeper’s Heart has launched their Irish + American whiskey and they have done so with…

James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey

OK, I had never heard of this whiskey till our friends brought it out while we were visiting them in VA. It’s a Kentucky whiskey first established in 1780 but it’s a brand that was relaunched in 2012. This 100% proof (50% abv) whiskey is 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It is aged 3-4…

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

The saying goes “don’t cry over spilled milk,” I counter however that you do cry over spilled whiskey. Out of all the years of being an amateur whiskey blogger this is the first time I’ve broken a whiskey bottle. Yes, this went down as I tried to take product pictures. But… after a few tears…

WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years

Not too long ago I realized that although I’ve written about WhistlePig before I had not written about nor had tasted their 6 year PiggyBack. Not wanting to buy a full bottle, I was happy to find a 50ml bottle for just $5.99. Let me clarify, the actual 750ml PiggyBack is not expensive at a…