Lee Kennedy at Leiper’s Fork Distillery, is making some very good whiskey. This single barrel Rye whiskey is no exception. It sold out on the first day that they offered the whiskey for sale, but they are making more of it. It is hoped that they will soon have this wonderful whiskey again for those who love rye whiskey. This is a single barrel whiskey bottled at 110 proof, but it drinks very much as a lower proof whiskey.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery is near Franklin, Tennessee. It has been distilling now for over six years and their Master Distiller, Lee Kennedy, is a true master of the craft. Lee once told me he just wants to make good whiskey and I believe he has succeeded. Matt and I have chosen the Leiper’s Fork Single Barrel Rye as our whiskey of the month for November 2022 and here are our tasting notes.
Leiper’s Fork Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Proof: 110
Age: Five Years, Nine Months Old
Nose:
- Mike: Very fruity nose – almost brandy-like – with raisins, dates, plums, rye grass, rich vanilla and caramel, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, bubble gum, and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Very fruit forward with raisins and wild berries, rye grass, vanilla, cardamom spice and sweet oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the fruit and spice is enhanced. Tasted with a pecan and the oak is enhanced and the fruit becomes wild berries –raspberry and blackberry.
- Matt: Rye grass, caramel, prunes, cinnamon and sweet oak wood. The dried cranberry brings forth the rye, dark fruit and cinnamon and other baking spices. The pecan brought out caramel apple and spicy rye.
Finish:
- Mike: Long with sweet oak wood, spice with lingering sweetness from the fruit and vanilla. The dried cranberry made the finish very long and spicy. The pecan made the finish very long with lots of oak and a pepper spice.
- Matt: Long with sweet oak wood, tobacco, and a lingering cinnamon and rye grassiness. The dried cranberry made the finish sweeter with caramel and oak wood. The pecan brought out notes of leather and cayenne pepper in the finish.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a fine cigar. I would reach for a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series with its rich vanilla and tobacco flavors in the smoke that will complement the rich vanilla and spice of the whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller