CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys, produced by ) Tasting Notes: CALI Distillery Riptide Rye Whiskey Vital stats: Mash bill: 93% rye at 95.5 proof — at $32.99, the question is whether it delivers on its promise. I sat down with a pour to find out.
Nose
This whiskey has flavors of mellow rye spice and hints of dark chocolate. A medium-length finish delivers citrus notes at the end. Score: 3/5 Riptide Rye Cask Strength (image via CALI Distillery) Tasting Notes: CALI Distillery Riptide Rye Whiskey Vital stats: Mash bill: 93% rye, and 7% malted barley, 118 proof, SRP around $32.99 Appearance: Honey Nose: Notes of rye bread and ethanol. Palate: This is similar to CALI Distillerys other rye, Three Rivers Rye, but on steroids. The extra proof really brings out the sweet caramel and chocolate and mellows the rye spice. A nice medium finish as well. There is a little burn due to the proof and young age, as well as little black pepper throughout. I dont notice much oak. Score: 3.5/5 Final Thoughts: The Three Rivers Rye Whiskey is a young but enjoyable rye whiskey. It has enough complexity and finish to warrant the price and taking a chance at the store. It is an easy sipper, and would also be fine in cocktails. I can see myself drinking this casually, at a BBQ or sharing with friends who are not used to rye whiskey or higher proof whiskies. Riptide Rye whiskey is also another young but enjoyable rye whiskey from CALI Distillery. This one has a more intense flavor profile than the Three River Rye, with most of the palate amplified while the rye spice is expressed less. It is sweeter than the Three River Rye. This is a lovely sipper, nicely balanced, very enjoyable, and given that cask strength rye whiskies are not very common, it is a great value at the price point.
Palate
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
The Bottom Line
CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys did not quite work for me. At $32.99, I would steer you toward other bottles that offer more for your money in this category.
