There is a story behind every bottle of whiskey, and Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey vs CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys: Which Rye Should You Buy? carries one worth telling.
Choosing between Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey and CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey | CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | ) Tasting Notes: CALI Distillery Riptide Rye Whiskey Vital stats: Mash bill: 93% rye |
| Type | Rye | Rye |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 50% ABV; mashbill: 51%rye, 49% malted barley; bott | 95.5 proof |
| Price | N/A | $32.99 |
| Rating | 9/10 | 3/10 |
Nose
Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey: Banana, banana, banana! After a few minutes some of the freshly peeled banana blows off and lets other notes through. Savory green pea leads into a heady sweetness with lots of vanilla bean, and some oakiness makes a show mid-way through.
CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys: Rye bread. Notes of rye bread and ethanol.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey: A bit of rye roughness almost immediately mellows into almost un-ripe green apple, which sticks around. Slightly thin in texture. Virtually no sweetness, but more fruit flavors come up over time, grounded by a dark rye graininess, without grassiness. Fruit becomes flower as some musk makes an appearance as well.
CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys: 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 enj
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey: Comments: 50% ABV; mashbill: 51%rye, 49% malted barley; bottled-in-bond; distilled 03/17; aged minimum 6 years; 750mL. Evenly spaced and slow legs, mostly translucent, amber with gold highlights Banana, banana, banana! After a few minutes some of the freshly peeled banana blows off and lets other notes through
CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys: Comments: Mash bill: 93% rye, and 7% malted barley, 95.5 proof, SRP around $32
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey takes the crown with a rating of 9/10 compared to CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys's 3/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of CALI Distillery Three Rivers Rye, Riptide Rye Whiskeys appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
