There is a lot to like about Uncle Nearest Rye Single Barrel Whiskey on paper — exclusive priced at $89 for a 750ml bottle has been doing interesting work. At 60.5% ABV, aged in new American oak and finished i and $89, let us see if it lives up to expectations.
Nose
This is coppery yellow in color. Rich caramel and vanilla on the nose with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Little bit of dried oak underlying the other scents.
Palate
Overall this is a very leathery rye. Up front it has a roasted nut quality. Mid palate transitions to some notes of vanilla and toffee while staying quite dry. The finish is quite smooth, I get a bit of heat on the sides of my tongue but no burn at the back of the throat whatsoever.
Finish
60.5% ABV, aged in new American oak and finished in used Uncle Nearest barrels. Made with 100% rye. This is a distillery exclusive priced at $89 for a 750ml bottle. While it achieves the goal of a remarkably smooth rye whiskey it just left me wanting. Wanting more flavor, more richness, more depth. I feel like this falls between two markets of people in a way that wouldnt leave either fully satisfied. It has that smooth Tennessee, charcoal filtered, quality (though I am not even sure it is going through that charcoal filtration process) but lacks the sweetness of most Tennessee whiskey. It has the dry leathery qualities of a rye, but lacks the depth and spice that I normally look for in a rye. rnrnTheres nothing wrong with it, I would just rather have another rye or Uncle Nearest 1856 or 1884.
The Bottom Line
Uncle Nearest Rye Single Barrel Whiskey is fine — not bad, not great, just fine. At $89, I think there are better options in this range if you are willing to look around.
