Taconic Distillery Founder’s Rye Whiskey

RyeReviewsTaconic Distillery

Sep 10

Written By David Levine

45% ABV/90 Proof

3+ Years Old

Eye: Fresh apple juice, thin rim and legs.

Nose: Very sweet - orchard fruits lead the way (especially apples and peaches) while green grapes and some rye hang out together in the background.

Palate: Zero burn - a smooth sipping rye that coats the tongue as if preparing you for the flavors to come. Rye spices burst out, especially cinnamon. A sweeter-leaning rye where the proof keeps it from being too sweet. Mouthfeel is oily, coating, and filling.

Finish: Little tingles on the tongue continue for awhile - this is a long, long finish that keeps the flavors from the nose and palate going for several minutes. You could drink this like a Session IPA, it’s that easy-going.

Rating: 6.8

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)