Rossville Union Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

Total Wine Store Pick, 56.1% ABV, Bottled 2023. Nose presents traditional rye characteristics: lemongrass, white pepper, hay, mint, and graham cracker. There's also an earthy root vegetable note I can't quite place (turnip? beet?). The ethanol is quite noticeable. Flavor is an improvement, with honey sweetness taking the forefront, followed by baking spices (allspice, nutmeg, clove), toasted marshmallow(?), oak, and butterscotch. It's quite sweet for a rye, tasting more like a high-rye bourbon, but it harmonizes well. It's not the most intricate, but the existing flavors are quite appealing. Regardless of opinions on Total Wine, they can select a good barrel. (Results may vary for you) Finish includes rye spice, black pepper, dill, cinnamon sugar, sweet oak, eucalyptus, and fresh-cut grass. It's not particularly herbal. The mouthfeel is delightful; full-bodied, smooth, and oily. While I've encountered superior MGP offerings, this is quite solid. The rich sweetness on the palate makes it stand out. At $73.99, the price is appropriate for the current market. And although I might seek out more "exciting" releases, I would certainly consider purchasing this again in the future.

Nose: mint, dill pickles, snickerdoodle cookies, cake batter Palate: drinks like a rye to me (curious about the mash bill), balanced with some spice Finish: thin and slightly drying, not much burn even though this is the first whiskey I'm tasting today Overall: this was part of a whiskey advent calendar (a selection), so this might not be the ideal place for this review. Enjoyed this pour. Would happily keep this on my shelf.