![15 Stars First West 6 Year Fine Aged Rye Whiskey](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8fd593_1fa3011527d54b3f82958298dc7c6163~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1224,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/8fd593_1fa3011527d54b3f82958298dc7c6163~mv2.jpg)
15 Stars: named in honor of Kentucky's legacy of being the 15th state on the historical 15 star and 15 stripe US flag. As for the "First West" distinction, that comes from the same factoid, double clicking in to give a nod to the fact that the 1795 addition of Kentucky was the first state west of the Appalachians, in a 3-state region known as America's First West. I'd like to thank 15 Stars for providing the bottle pictured for the purposes of a review with no strings attached.
Company on Label: 15 Stars
Whiskey Type: Blend of straight rye whiskeys
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed
Proof: 105°
Age: 6 years (blend of 6, 7, and 8 year ryes)
Further identification: This is bottle number 2485 from batch 2-SSDD, a blend of sourced whiskeys from KY, IN, and TN, still available at an MSRP of $89.99
Nose: On first inhale, I find a bright, lively whiskey. It offers dry grape skins, plum, and Columbian coffee beans up front before some unmitigated ethanol and sharp, disjointed edges show the evidence of rushed blending. Deep inhales remind me of fresh earth cover scent wafers. Hints of savory tones are not quite distinct but subtly reminiscent of a distant whiff of vinegar. Vanilla quickly replaces that smell in a tumultuously changing glass. The empty glass offers aromas of campfire ash, tin can, and dead pine needles.
Palate: At first sip, a wave of zest skitters across the tongue with grapefruit and lemon curd. The linger that follows carries a mild pomelo character and a general feeling of booziness, like a gin cocktail might. Another sip offers pine needle tea and tannic acorn vibes that are less-than-enjoyable on the tongue. My last sip distinctly reminds me of some younger Irish whiskey blends that have forfeited balance for price.
TL;DR: A multitude of clashing aromas and tasting notes make for a disjointed blend
Rating: 2.5/5
This is a messy, weird whiskey. While nowhere near unpleasant to drink, it doesn't offer me any excitement either. While I've seen plenty of people fervently offering praise to what 15 Stars is putting out these days, this 6 year First West rye is just not for me. I'd be glad to revisit the brand, as I don't think this is their best work.
![Nick Anderson - Whiskey Writer and Owner of AmongstTheWhiskey.com](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8fd593_7e7fd3d4837b4632895d4b0e33ef5e56~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/8fd593_7e7fd3d4837b4632895d4b0e33ef5e56~mv2.png)
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