Woodford Reserve – Barrel Strength Rye (75cl, 62.5%)

This is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey from Woodford Reserve, and the distillery's first barrel-strength rye. It is bottled uncut at 62.55% ABV (125.1 proof) in a 75cl bottle, and was drawn from approximately 120 barrels. The mash bill is Woodford's high-rye recipe of 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley. For comparison, the standard Woodford Reserve Rye is bottled at 90.4 proof. The tasting notes describe bold rye spice, caramel, toasted oak and dried fruit on the nose. The palate is full and intense, with rye spice, dark caramel, brown sugar, oak and pepper. The finish is long, warming and powerful.