"Hello tall dark and sexy...Lock Stock and Barrel Rye Whiskey"

Looking for something to expand your whiskey taste buds?  Try a rye...better yet try this handsomely crafted 13 year straight rye whiskey.  I eyed this beauty on the shelf about a month ago and asked the guy behind the counter what the price was...I almost fell over.  I figured I would do a little more research and find out why the hefty price tag for such a new product line before I threw down that kind of coin.  So here are the facts...aged 13 years in new charred American Oak barrels, 100% rye whiskey from doubled pot stills, standing at 101.3 proof.

What is the difference between a rye and a bourbon?  As previously discussed a bourbon must be 51% or more corn in the mash.  A rye follows the same rule respectively.  Most whiskey coming from Canada are rye based and there seems to be a big push for American distillers to produce rye whiskeys especially with the resurgence of pre-prohibition cocktails.  Classic cocktails such as the 
Manhattan and *Sazerac were crafted with rye whiskeys.  

The Lock Stock and Barrel comes from the Cooper Spirits Co., which launched in 2006 with the introduction of St. Germain, a popular elderflower liqueur.  Robert Cooper is a third generation distiller and has clearly studied and crafted what is one of the best rye whiskeys I have tasted.

The packaging alone is alluring, but how does it taste?  The nose is nutty, toasty vanilla with hints of caramel and a slight salty brine.  The mouthfeel is lush with vanilla cream, nutmeg and a slight cinnamon kiss with a gentle hug of warmth all the way down...I did mention 101.3 proof?!  Delicious!

*The Sazerac was originally crafted with cognac...more to come in a later blog!

http://www.lockstockandbarrelspirits.com/