This rye whiskey is made by the Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile in Tamworth, New Hampshire. This bottle was sent to Maggie Kimberl along with several other bottles for review. They sent a couple of extra bottles so Maggie could pass them on to me for review here. I am glad they did as they are excellent whiskeys. They had sent me another bottle of Chocoura Rye back in August 2022 and Matt and I really enjoyed that rye whiskey, so we were looking forward to reviewing this bottle. This rye whiskey is 100% rye with a mash bill of 52.4% rye and 47.6% malted rye. It was aged for six years in number 3 char barrels at 115 proof and finished in Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for 3 months at 105 proof. Matt and I sat down and tasted this whiskey the other day and here are our tasting notes.
Chocorua Rye Whiskey finished in French Oak wine casks
Proof: 90
Age: No Age Statement on the bottle but their website states it is six years old
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, raisins and wild berries, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, dates, cinnamon and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, raisins, blackberries, anise, cardamom and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and a citrus note comes forward and a floral white pepper joins the party. Tasted with a pecan and the vanilla becomes a caramel and black pepper comes forward.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, dates, cinnamon and oak wood. The dried cranberry added notes of orange zest and plums. The pecan made it sweet with caramel and maple syrup.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with rye grass, oak and anise spice. The dried cranberry added lingering citrus notes to the finish. The pecan made the finish long with rye grass, oak wood, citrus and lingering caramel.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood and cinnamon. The dried cranberry added lingering citrus notes to the finish. The pecan made the finish long with rye grass, oak wood and lingering caramel.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a My Father The Judge cigar. I think the rich vanilla and chocolate in the smoke would pair well with vanilla and spice in the rye whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller