Review: Smoke Wagon Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Color (5%): Light amber and hay hues. Very low thinning at the edges. 4/5

Nose (10%): There's a nice rye spice and a big vanilla sweetness. That corn comes through in this rye. There's a bit of oak and cinnamon. Some orange peel comes in after some time. Nice and candy-like. Compared to the last few smoke wagons I've tried, the alcohol burn is all tolerable. 8/10

Palate (20%): The corn sweetness pops straight in there, a nice soft caramel. After all, corn is basically half the mashbill. I've tried the Small Batch, the standard Straight Bourbon, and the Uncut The Younger; this is the first rye in my portfolio. It's okay for a bonded rye. That menthol note pops in after a few sips but is less intense than other recent samples. The botanical notes are there but are milder: mint, pine, and green tea. Spice and oak are present but not dominant, with some faint cinnamon and allspice. 17/20

Finish (10%): The finish is smooth. There's minimal alcohol burn for the proof. There's a nice cake frosting sweetness. Medium duration. A bit of cinnamon hangs around. 7/10

Overall Impression and Harmony (30%): I'd like more oak here. This one's a bit young. Also, it's 2% away from not being rye whiskey at all. This would be called the sweetest and easiest if this was in a flight of rye whiskeys. It could be a stepping stone for someone to go from bourbon into the world of rye, but there are better examples of a typical rye. It's fine. I'm sure people will like it, but it has only one aspect that will make it anyone's favorite. If offered, I'll happily drink it, but I would pick something else if I want a rye whiskey. 22/30

Retry on Ice (25%): The sweetness from that corn really comes through when chilled down. A bit more allspice comes in. The mint gets milder but lingers a bit longer on the finish. Nothing elevated, but only a little was lost. 21/25

Total Ranking: 79% Legendary, Amazing, Great, Good, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill

Estimated Fair Price: $44

Actual Price: $65

Conclusion: Why pick this mash bill? 51% to 49%. There are many ways to stack flavors and layer in complexity and depth. Aging in Nevada heat is a new and experimental science, but this great distillery needs to do something to push the boundaries or excel at a price point that makes you wish they had dialed this in more. This whiskey is fine, but for $65, $70, even $80 in some markets, no. Smoke Wagon dipped its toe in the rye market, but they were not swimming with the champs here. I hope that they dial in a quality product, but this mash bill will never be the favorite of a rye lover, and at this price point, it won't be someone's new exploration at the bar, which brings in a new regular consumer. If you are offered this, try it. I don't need to spend the total price for a bottle or a glass. My favorite ryes are the ones that have been around for nearly a century or more, like Sazerac, or the ones that follow those roots but add a fun twist, like the Dad's Hat Port Finish. For the money, get something famous for their rye. 

Fact Sheet:

51% Rye, 49% Corn, maybe 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Barley. There is an issue with labeling specific batches.

Distillery Location: Las Vegas, Nevada H&C Distilling Co

Aged at least 4 years

ABV: 50%

Review: Early Times Bottled in Bond

Color (5%):  Very dark brown. Little crimson. Thin edges. 5/5

Nose (10%): Big orange peel note immediately. That decently big booze kick. Honey sugars. It requires a heavy draw to get much more subtle. I like orange, but nothing too complex or nuanced. 5/10

Palate (20%): A bit of pepperiness from the rye. It still has some sweet orange character. Nice round, creamy texture. Pretty nice. It's not too wild and complex again, but it's hard to dislike. Nothing unpleasant at all. 16/20

Finish (10%): Nice and creamy at the back. Medium-light finish. Very short. The pepper is there at first but only for a short time. 7/10

Overall Impression and Harmony (30%):  22/30

Retry on Ice (25%): The creaminess is still there, which often fades out with dilution. It's alright, but it doesn't improve or eliminate shortcomings. It is fine, again, not legendary status, but fine. 20/25 

Total Ranking: 65% Legendary, Amazing, Great, Good, Fair, Average, Tolerable, Swill

Estimated Fair Price: $26

Actual Price: $21 per Liter

Conclusion: This is wonderful in a whiskey sour, especially in a New York or Stone Sour. This is an excellent well whiskey at many bars. It's not something I'd hunt for if I were looking for a Manhattan or an old fashioned. There are more fun options. This is fine for a whiskey coke. It won't be anyone's top ten, but it is good enough to do its function. This is still good for the money. It can find a home in many houses, but it isn't going on my display of great and legendary bottles for friends to experience. This is a well rail bottle at a pretty nice bar that can slot into most roles and not disappoint. 

Fact Sheet:

Distillery Location: Louisville, KY

ABV: 50% 

Age Statement: at least 4 years

Ingredients: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley

Method:

Awards: