High Plains Rye (75cl, 48.5%)

High Plains Rye is a blended straight rye whiskey at 48.5% ABV (97 proof), in a 750ml bottle. It was created by Jim Rutledge, formerly master distiller at Four Roses, and is released by J.W. Rutledge Distillery. It combines five straight rye whiskeys from distilleries in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and New York. Each has its own mashbill, ranging from 51% rye to 100% rye, and its own yeast strain. The nose offers rye bread with caraway, black pepper and dill, then apricot, marzipan and praline. The palate is spicy with dried herbs and citrus, followed by toffee, green tea, stone fruit and cinnamon. The finish is medium-long and warming, with black pepper, cinnamon and dry oak.