We like the whiskeys that 15 Stars has been bottling. This is no exception. This rye whiskey is a blend of 8, 9, 13 and 14 years old rye whiskeys. It is not too oak forward and I suspect that is because it is mostly 8 year old rye. I like a fruity whiskey and this rye is a good example of that. They sent me a bottle some weeks ago and Matt and I sat down to taste it. Here are our tasting notes.
15 Stars Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye
Proof: 95
Age: Eight Years Old
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, prunes, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, cane sugar, orange zest, baking spices and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, prunes and dates, allspice and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and caramel and cherries come forward, Tasted with a pecan and rich buttered caramel dominates the taste.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, lemonade, and cinnamon. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the lemonade is enhanced. Tasted with a pecan and the vanilla becomes a rich caramel.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with oak wood and allspice. The dried cranberry made the finish long with oak wood, caramel and lingering cherry fruit. The pecan made the finish very long with oak wood and caramel.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood and rye grass. The dried cranberry made the finish longer with oak wood and lingering caramel. The pecan made the finish very long with oak wood and lots of caramel.
I would pair this rye whiskey with a cigar that has a lot of vanilla and cedar spice in the smoke. I would reach for a Rocky Patel Decade cigar.
Photos courtesy of Rosemary Miller