This is the latest expression from Dad’s Hat. It was made using Rosen Rye and distilled at a lower proof and barreled at a lower proof. It is an excellent rye. It reminded Matt and me of two of our other favorite rye whiskeys – Leiper’s Fork and George Washington ryes. They all have that fruit forward flavor that we love, with just the right amount of spice and oak. It is interesting that all three distilleries use pot stills to make their whiskey and have a low barrel entry proof. I received a sample bottle of this whiskey the other day from Herman Milhalich, the owner of Dad’s Hat and Matt and I sat down to taste it. Here are our tasting notes.
Dad’s Hat Rosen Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Proof: 100
Age: Four Years Old
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, peaches, plums, prunes, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, peaches and cream, baking spices and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, peaches, prunes, cardamom, allspice and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and lemon zest and cinnamon come forward. Tasted with a pecan and the vanilla becomes a rich butter caramel with peaches, lemon zest, cinnamon and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, peaches, lemon zest, black pepper and oak wood. The dried cranberry added a notes cherries and wild berries. The pecan added a note of chocolate.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with oak wood, peaches and cardamom spice. The dried cranberry added lingering lemon zest. The pecan made the finish very long with oak, peaches, caramel and lemon zest.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood, peaches and black pepper. The dried cranberry added some lingering cherry. The pecan made the finish long with oak wood, peaches and lingering chocolate.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a Padron 1926 Serie cigar. It is one of my favorite cigars with rich vanilla and caramel in the smoke that would pair well with this fine rye whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller