Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey (750ml)

Drawn from eighty three 5-6 year old barrel reserves and bottled at natural strength, this sourced whiskey is reported to be a blend of MGP’s relatively ubiquitous 95% rye recipe. At barrel proof, Rossville delivers a full yet balanced expression.

Tasting note: Bright amber. The grain presents with dustings of cocoa and honey followed by an applemint / chocolate note... later distant aniseed, scents of pipe tobacco and chocolate box. A huge rye attack. The oily, buttery mid-palate stage is superb, while the finish unfurls in a flurry of spice, muddled mint and gently bittersweet oak. Great length and balance. Impressive. 56.3% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews… The aroma is a mélange of sweet goodness, with violet candies, figgy dried fruits, and molasses cake that almost evoke a cane-like rum sweetness, as tobacco leaf, leather, and sassafras notes add depth. It’s a real roof burner on the palate, broad and mouth coating, offering a big blast of spices, cocoa powder, tropical fruits, and vanilla before the wood and minty herbs drive it to the finish line. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Fall 2018)

...The nose is a luscious mint-accented, rum-drenched, raisin bread pudding. On the palate, a juicy explosion of more mint and cherry cola, as semi-sweet chocolate-covered almonds unfolds and finishes with what can only be described as a movie-theater mashup of Junior Mints and Raisinettes. The references may suggest a confectionary level of sweetness to the experience, but the right touch of oak throughout the palate and finish keeps the drink from becoming oversweet and brings some gravitas to the spice level. On reflection between the 2018 and 2022 releases, Rossville Union Rye Whiskeys are showing themselves to be an exceptional and formidable collection of ryes, with consistency in the richness of its baking spice and vanilla characteristics, while offering different dials of the component sweet and spice base notes to make it an engaging pour from start to finish, and certainly one to watch out for annually. All told, it’s a really delightful and masterfully blended pour all around, and an incredible value. - drinkhacker.com

...As with the Straight Rye…great stuff.... The jump up in proof of course gives it a different feel, but their flavor profiles are fairly similar. Whereas I loved the winey-ness of the Straight Rye’s nose, here I loved the deep and vibrant palate – especially with a bit of water. The Straight Rye is the better one to use in cocktails, this one shines as a more rugged slow, neat sipper, or even over a large chunk of ice. The quandary comes with the price. This is a very, very good whiskey, perhaps a step up over the Straight Rye, but enough of a step up to justify the jump in price? That’s a tougher call. Still, definitely recommended. - thecasks.com