In the past, Matt and I reviewed the single barrel rye that was cask strength and sold only in the gift shop at the distillery. On my recent visit to Leiper’s Fork Distillery, I picked up their Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whiskey. This product is sold in every market where you can find Leiper’s Fork products. It is a very good rye whiskey and Matt and I decided to make it our Whiskey of the Month for 2023.
Leiper’s Fork Rye Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond
Proof: 100
Age: Seven Years Old
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, French vanilla, plums, prunes, dates, nutmeg, cinnamon and oak wood.
- Matt: Chocolate, mint and orange zest.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, dates, French vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and butterscotch shows up and the cinnamon is enhanced. Tasted with a pecan and the flavors become caramel, chocolate, dates, white pepper and oak.
- Matt: Andes Mint Chocolate and citrus. Tasted with a cranberry enhances the mint and chocolate and gives a creamy texture. Tasted with a pecan gives a peppermint bark flavor, orange citrus and brings out rye grass.
Finish:
- Mike: Long with oak, sweet dates and lingering baking spices. The dried cranberry made the finish very long with oak and cinnamon. The pecan made the finish very long with oak and white pepper.
- Matt: Oak and chocolate with a buttery mouthfeel. The cranberry enhances the mint and creaminess with the oak. The pecan pushes the oak forward with the chocolate and mint.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series cigar. I think the vanilla and cedar spice of the smoke would pair well with the fruit and spice of the whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller