Review #168: Woodinville 100% Rye Whiskey

MASH BILL: 100% rye

PROOF: 90

AGE: NAS (5+ yrs according to Woodinville website) 

COST: $30 for 750mL bottle

Woodinville Rye Whiskey has been a generally well received rye whiskey by both critics and whiskey aficionados alike. So what helps position this expression to being generally well received. First of all, this is a 100% rye whiskey. This should help maximize those peppery rye notes that are associated with high rye, rye whiskeys. Speaking of the grain, Woodinville sources all their grains from the local Omlin Family Farm, including their rye. So this rye is grown in Washington state. Their barrels are open seasoned for 18 months exposed to all weather elements which helps mellow out the tannins in the wood before the barrels are toasted and then loaded with 110 proof distillate. The barrels are then taken to the Woodinville warehouse in central Washington where they will mature the whiskey for at least 5 years. The whiskey is ultimately bottled in a bottle that makes it clear that Woodinville is proud of, and wants you to know, that they are a Washington whiskey making company.

So, is this hyperlocal and Washington proud distillery making something truly unique and different than other rye whiskeys out there? Let’s find out!

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

APPEARANCE: An orangey, brown color reminding me of Padauk wood (1.6); surprisingly oily looking for 90 proof with fat, slow legs and a nice ring that clings to the glass.

NOSE: Earthy spice with a touch of sweetness. A pile of dry rye berries, clove, and cinnamon greet me right away. An earthy note of dried leaves in the fall provide a stark contrast to the spring vibes while sitting on the front porch this early May evening. Caramel and a whisp of orange citrus provide a nice sweetness. I occasionally get a subtle twang to this, a little like black licorice.

PALATE: This has a syrupy mouthfeel that brings with it a good bit of spice that clings to the palate. Lots of caramel shows up at first with some maritime notes, but then spicier notes of peppery rye, cinnamon, and clove begin to grow. Along the way they combine with toasted vanilla and citrus to make a spicy sweet perfume note with a touch of astringency. With a good chew, I can pick up on some subtle orchard fruit notes.

FINISH: The finish is medium to long in length. The peppery rye note on the palate shifts to more of a minty note on the finish. The vanilla transfers over well and combines with some spicy oak and caramel to complete the meld.

RATING: 6.1/10

OVERALL: This has a lot of rye whiskey character to show off that 100% rye mash bill. Big peppery notes, subtle earthiness, and a nice caramelly sweetness that persists all the way through. On the nose, at times this made me think it had malted rye component in it as well, but there are in fact no malted grains in this mash bill. This had a somehwat balanced flavor profile considering it is a 100% rye mash bill, but make no mistake that the spicier notes certainly dominated. But I do wish the sweetness was a bit stronger and the earthier, bitter notes were a bit more subdued. Overall though, for a $30 bottle, this was a fantastic pour for the price. Even with SRP around $40 though, you can’t go wrong picking up a bottle if you like rye whiskey.

 

1 | Disgusting | ...I've not subjected myself to this level

2 | Poor | Balcones Lineage

3 | Bad | High West Double Rye, Jefferson's Ocean 28

4 | Sub-par | Weller's SR, Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

5 | Good | Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, Green River Wheated

6 | Very Good | Blanton's, Holladay Bourbons, Eagle Rare

7 | Great | Baker's 7yr SiB, BBCo Origin High Wheat, 1792 BiB

8 | Excellent | Most ECBP batches, Maker's Mark Wood Finishing releases, High West MWND Act 11

9 | Incredible | Woodford Reserve Batch Proof 121.2, BBC DS #7, Four Roses OESQ

10 | Perfect | Found North Batch 08