Judson & Moore – Rye (75cl, 47%)

Judson & Moore Rye is a straight rye whiskey distilled, barrelled and bottled in Chicago, Illinois, at 47% in a 750ml bottle. The mashbill is 70% rye, 20% yellow corn and 10% malted barley, run through a custom-built 500-gallon copper pot still. It matures in barrels made from Minnesota white oak. The distillery chose oak from a colder climate for its tighter grain, which it says lets more vanillin and sweetness into the spirit to balance the rye spice. The nose has chocolate, rye seeds and a mint-vanilla note. The palate is honeyed, with melon, lemon, black pepper and baking spice. The finish is medium, dry and oaky, with light vanilla.