I play Whiskey Roulette all the time. The UPS and FedEx guys call me Whiskeyfellow (as they should!) because this place is a revolving door of incoming samples. I never quite know what I'm going to get and if it is new to the market, that makes that wheel of fortune more chancy.
I've reviewed whiskeys from Proof & Wood Ventures before. They're all sourced, either from MGP or Dickel, and Dave Schmier picks some true cream-of-the-crop barrels. I've enjoyed most of them and have a lot of respect for what he does.
Today I'm sipping on Roulette Straight Rye. This is sourced from MGP, utilizing its 95% rye, 5% malted barley mashbill. Aged for four years, it is proofed at a respectable 100° and available either in 200ml or 750ml bottles. You can expect to pay $11.99 and $29.99 respectively.
Before I get started with the tasting notes, I'd like to thank Proof & Wood for providing me a sample of Roulette in exchange for a no-strings-attached, honest review. And now, it is time to #DrinkCurious.
Appearance: In my Glencairn glass, Roulette Rye presented as the color of bronze. It created a medium-thick rim that produced a watery curtain that fell back into the pool.
Nose: An interesting blend of caramel, mint, and oak was fairly easy to pick out. Beneath those, aromas of citrus and nutmeg were more challenging. When I inhaled the vapor through my lips, I tasted citrus and oak.
Palate: I found the mouthfeel to be oily with a medium body. It wasn't overly coating, and I had to force it onto my mid-palate. For whatever reason, it kept going from the front to back and skipped the middle.
On the front, flavors of stone fruit and caramel started things off and were quickly discernable. The middle featured baking spices of nutmeg and allspice. I also experienced cinnamon, which also stuck on the back. That was married with cocoa powder, rye spice, and oak.
Finish: A sizzling, spicy finish of dry oak, freshly cracked black pepper, clove, cinnamon Red Hots, and dark chocolate ended this game of chance. My hard palate was numbed before I even realized it.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The odds are definitely in your favor if a spicy finish is your jam. Roulette Rye is bold would absolutely make a great base for a cocktail. You won't lose it amongst other ingredients. Neat, you may think this drinks hotter than its stated 100°, but it doesn't really. There is no offputting alcohol burn. It is simply a spice bomb, and I happen to like spicy ryes. When you consider the ante, it becomes a jackpot and I'll cash out with a Bottle rating. Cheers!
My Simple, Easy to Understand Rating System
- Bottle = Buy It
- Bar = Try It
- Bust = Leave It
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