Tumblin’ Dice Single Barrel Rye (Apple Brandy Finish) Review

 

If you’re unfamiliar with David Schmier, his name is one to be reckoned with. He is one of the American originals in sourcing and blending. He owned Redemption Rye before selling the brand in 2015 and founding Proof and Wood Ventures. His skills have earned him many accolades, applause, and awards, and he has garnered much respect in the industry. Proof and Wood’s involvement in distilled spirits goes beyond whiskey.

 

Tumblin’ Dice is one of Dave’s most popular lines of whiskey (and I believe it is the original under the Proof and Wood umbrella). What’s less unusual is to see something from this line go through a finishing cycle. That brings us to the subject of today’s review: Tumblin’ Dice Single Barrel Rye (Apple Brandy Finish).

 

What makes this release very special is that the apple brandy barrels are sourced from Laird’s, which is the oldest licensed distillery in the United States! It was founded in 1780 in Scobeyville, New Jersey, by Robert Laird. Its history can be traced back to Scotland, where, in 1698, William Laird was one of the first to distill Applejack, which became very popular in colonial America.

 

Robert Laird served under General George Washington in the Continental Army, and Washington had asked Laird about his “cyder spirits” recipe before the American Revolution even began. Today, Laird’s distills in North Garden, Virginia, and its apples are grown nearby. The Scobeyville facility ceased distilling in 1972; it now blends, bottles, and ages its products.

 

“We are thrilled to see one of our 8.5-year-old apple brandy barrels find new life in this special release of Tumblin’ Dice. The rich character developed over nearly a decade of aging our apple brand adds a unique layer of complexity and fruit-driven depth to the rye whiskey. It’s a beautiful example of how thoughtful barrel finishing can elevate an already excellent spirit. We’re proud to see the Laird name and love how this collaboration turned out.” – Gerard Dunn, VP of Operations and Laird & Company

 

Tumblin’ Dice Single Barrel Rye (Apple Brandy Finish) is limited to 10 barrels, and as single-barrel whiskeys, each will have its own nuances.

 

I’d like to thank Proof & Wood Ventures for providing me with samples for this #DrinkCurious opportunity in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: American Straight Rye
• Distiller: MGP/Ross & Squibb
• Age: 7 years
• Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels, then 1 year in Laird’s Apple Brandy barrels
• Alcohol Content: 59.65% ABV (119.3°)
• Price per 750mL: $85.00

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this whiskey neat. The liquid was a reddish-coppery color. It formed a thin rim with tightly packed, thin, fast tears.

 

Nose: After allowing time for the whiskey to breathe, I brought the glass to my nose and began sniffing. I encountered a strong note of baked apples, caramel, and floral rye. I took that air into my mouth and found rich caramel and a smidge of menthol.

 

Palate: Tumblin’ Dice possessed a dense, creamy texture that seemed to expand to fill my mouth. I tasted stewed apples, cinnamon, and thick caramel on the front of my palate. As I continued to chew, flavors of tobacco, cola, and apricots hit my mid-palate. The back included rye spice, black pepper, and bold oak spice.

 

Finish: Things started warm and ramped up from there, with the spice notes stealing the spotlight, featuring rye spice, cinnamon, black pepper, and oak. Apples and caramel struggled for attention. I timed this experience at 2:28, making it long to very long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: With my first sip, I thought this whiskey was way too hot to enjoy neat. The second attempt left me with the same impression. But by the third, I had overcome the palate shock and was able to appreciate and even relish what was in my glass.

 

For fun (and curiosity), I took two drops of distilled water and added them to an ounce of whiskey. The scent of Granny Smith apples, caramel, and milk chocolate exploded from my glass. Those two drops make a massive impact on the mouthfeel and palate. While the texture thinned significantly, even more of the rye and cinnamon spices were present, and, believe it or not, this extended the finish to 2:56.

 

Over the years, I’ve had plenty of apple brandy finished whiskeys. Tumblin’ Dice Single Barrel Rye (Apple Brandy Finish) is a pour unlike any other. If you’re into wine coolers or spritzers, this ain’t your drink. If you gravitate to spice bombs with heat, you’ll go crazy for it. My place is in the latter camp, and I found it pretty incredible. Grab a Bottle; you won’t be disappointed. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.