Limestone Branch Distillery “Angel’s Share” Rye

ReviewsAmerican WhiskeySingle Barrel PicksABV NetworkRyeLimestone Branch

Nov 13

Written By David Levine

Limestone Branch Distillery “Angel’s Share” Rye

100% Malted Rye

Char #3, 15 Gal. Barrels, Barrel #887

Aged in shipping containers (Hot Box approach)

Bottle 117/124

20M, 47%/94 Proof

Picked by the ladies of the ABV Network

Eye: Thick rims and thick droplet legs.

Nose: Raisin brioche. Very sweet, a light lemon zest and sweet rye (floral more than woody). Might be lime, not lemon - kind of bounces between them. Bready rye builds as you sip, and a malty sweetness is in the background.

Palate: More rye bread here than in the nose. Hits the back of the throat first and works its way forward to tingle the palate. Rye remains floral as black pepper joins in on the back palate. Mouthfeel is coating, thin-to-medium bodied.

Finish: Smooth then gets peppery on the back palate, especially black pepper and spearmint.

Overall: Rye ages faster than bourbon in general, and this bears that out. Between the shorter aging and the smaller barrels, plus a hotter aging environment, this rye drinks way above 20 months. Complex and keeps you interested through the pour. Floral rye keeps it from veering too dry and the black pepper keeps the sweetness in check. Well done Limestone Branch!

Rating: 6.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)