Review of Full Ryde Bourbon Batch 002-25

 

Jared Allen. He’s the 2025 Pro Football Hall-of-Fame defensive end who played for the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, and Panthers before retiring in 2016.  

 

Mike Nielsen. He’s an award-winning mortgage broker in Antioch, Illinois, and the founder and host of the podcast Chi-Tucky Bourbon Brothers.

 

Aubry Boutin. He’s a marketing innovator and brand strategist with over 25 years of experience.

 

Middle West Spirits. That’s the Columbus, Ohio, distillery that has exploded in popularity in the last two years. It recently purchased Old Elk and has been engaged in several contract distilling projects.

 

What do these four have in common? They’re the main players for Full Ryde Bourbon, a non-distilling producer (NDP) that’s making headways into the crowded American whiskey market.

 

“Like a masterfully aged American bourbon, we are forged by challenge and defined by the journey. We celebrate the road traveled, honor hard-earned milestones, and embrace the camaraderie born from shared success. We strive to honor the relentless spirit of those who go all in.” – Full Ryde Bourbon

 

Founded in December 2023 by Jared and Mike, Full Ryde Bourbon launched this past March and is already on Batch 002-25. It is a blend of 8-year-old Ross & Squibb (MGP) and 15-year-old Kentucky Bourbons from an undisclosed distillery(ies).

 

Batch 001-25 was a lot of only 228 - 750mL bottles packaged at 61% ABV (122°) and cost $295.95. The second batch is tamed to 57.5% ABV (115°) and has a higher wheated mashbill. It also costs $99.99, making it more approachable. There is no indication that Batch 002-25 has a similarly low yield. It can be ordered from Full Ryde Bourbon’s online store.

 

Before we #DrinkCurious to learn how Full Ryde Bourbon fares, I must thank Mike for reaching out and sending a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s do that now.

 

• Whiskey Type: Bourbon
• Distiller(s): Ross & Squibb and Undisclosed Kentucky distilleries
• Age: 8 years
• Mashbill: Undisclosed four-grain Bourbon mashbill
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 57.5% ABV (115°)
• Price per 750mL: $99.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this Bourbon neat. It possessed a butterscotch color and produced a medium rim with fast, crazed tears.

 

Nose: I patiently waited for 15 minutes before delving into the aroma. I found notes of corn, vanilla, caramel, oak, and orange zest. It was pretty straightforward. When I took the air into my mouth, I discovered oak and leather.  

 

Palate: The first sip revealed a soft, creamy texture that was a bit surprising at this proof. Then I reminded myself that this had a significant wheat component, and suddenly that made sense. There was also a heavy palate shock of oak. With the next sip, I discerned thick caramel, plantains, and roasted almonds on the front. I tasted brown sugar, cornbread, and candied cherries mid-palate, while oak, leather, and cinnamon were on the back.

 

Finish: Cinnamon, leather, brown sugar, sweet oak, and plantains stuck around. It was spicy and relatively level. The entire duration was about 1:58, making it a longer finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I found Full Ryde Bourbon Batch 002-25 to be a very easy sipper that drank way under its stated proof. I’d guess somewhere in the high 90s. That first punch of oak will throw you off until you continue to sip what’s in the glass – I was not expecting it to be such a mild quality for the rest of my drinking experience.

 

Finding 8-year-old MGP Bourbon is no big deal. 15-year-old Kentucky Bourbon is more impressive to me and helps justify the price. What we don’t know is what percentage of this is older versus the 8-year stocks. The team did an excellent job blending here, which isn’t easy. I’m assuming that Middle West Spirits directed much of that.

 

With all of that being said, this is still a premium-priced whiskey that’s come out of nowhere with celebrity roots. However, I don’t see Full Ryde Bourbon, at least this second batch, as some sort of cash grab. There’s a lot of quality offered; perhaps it is a bit overpriced, yet I still believe it is worthy of your consideration. I’m going to do a Hail Mary throw and give it my Bottle rating. And, I’m curious what Batch 003-xx will be. 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.