Whiskey drinkers everywhere: rejoice. Rare Character has added a pull tab under the thick wax of their latest project—the batch 01 limited release of Chad Watson's rye blend. This inaugural batch combines 7-8 year barrels from both Indiana and Kentucky, slant-dunked in blue-green wax with a sticky strip that will keep your fingers safe this fall. The hot knife can take a break for a bit as we get to peel strips off of limited releases and tear foil off of Brook Hill bottlings—at least until the Rare Character team cooks up something new. Innovation seems to be constant with this brand.
I happened to bump into Pablo Moix in Louisville last weekend, where he handed me a bottle of this release to take to a tasting I was doing in Bardstown later on. Despite having a table full of dusties, this bottle definitely got a lot of attention. Anyone doing modern whiskey right is worth celebrating, and I've got more than a few favorites from this era. It's because of this serendipitous meeting of the minds that I've got a review waiting for you today. As with all my full whiskey reviews, I've tasted this three times—a bit of a testament to what's really worth sipping these days, if you ask me. You ready for a review? Let's get into it.
Company on Label: Rare Character Whiskey Co., Lexington, Kentucky
Whiskey Type: A blend of straight rye whiskeys
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed rye mash bill distilled in KY & IN
Proof: 117.9°
Age: A blend of 7-8 year barrels
Further identification: The bottle under review is bottle 83/1300 from batch 01, which is the first rye release first available in 2024 at an MSRP of $129.99
Nose: Old-school barrel funk leads the way, something that classic bourbon drinkers will immediately appreciate. I find a wonderfully aromatic medley with little effort; sage, saffron, leather, allspice, black pepper, and linen present beautifully in the nose. Deep inhales produce notes of gardenia, rose, and jasmine as this well-integrated blend blooms in the glass. It's tender in the nose and a touch icy—like stepping out into frigid winter air after a long swim in a steamy heated pool. Aromas of crunchy fall leaves, seasoned firewood, and a kiss of cinnamon give this pour exquisite depth. Despite the slow and continuous evolution, I find myself ready for a taste.
Coming back from a sip, I find my nose transfixed. Oily cedar, fluffy vanilla, and Walkers Nonsuch English creamy toffee candy come zipping into the forefront of my mind as an exceptional nose continues to develop in the glass. There continues to be some of the leather, allspice, and linen tones from early on, though they have taken on a new creaminess that I think most whiskey drinkers can appreciate. Late in the glass, things turn a touch simpler as the cold night air shudders windows, but it opens the mind to a clarity that is rarely achieved in comfort. Tomorrow's bread is set to bake, a rose is left unappreciated, and the pavement is being swept of the refuse of a hurried world. Great whiskey has the power to transport you, and this pour does just that. The empty glass smells like a root beer float in a styrofoam cup.
Palate: Right away this shimmers across the tongue. It's lively like a cartoon character; it's got the swagger of Popeye and the suave elegance of Pink Panther rolled into one. Ginger ale, prune, and apricot lead the way in the mouth before a wave of raspberry, white pepper, and pecan swing through on the linger. It's got a bit of effervescent crème soda at the start before it transitions into a silky spoonful of vanilla custard. The mouthfeel is on the thicker side, reminding me a bit of the squish of an untoasted marshmallow. Pinenut, currant, and blood orange culminate in a wonderful array of flavors with each passing sip. As the glass nears empty, I find a profile that continues to be incredibly crushable yet fully captivating, with orange marmalade and buckwheat pancake tones just singing their wonderful whiskey lullaby. My last sip is like a fond farewell to a friend, carrying lemon lollipop, a kiss of pine nut, and citron green tea. The finish is medium, but noticeably sweet and balanced, as honey, grenadine, and saffron round out a rye whiskey well worth exploring.
TL;DR: Balanced yet flavorful rye whiskey that is sure to satisfy even the most looney enthusiast
Rating: 4.5/5
This is Johnny Bravo in a glass—you can bet your booty he's going to make a move on you. While it's no Brook Hill rye, this bottle is sure to make you a few new friends at your next bottle share. Kudos to Chad for continuing to raise the bar on quality and continuing to flex his blending ability. I'm certainly glad to see the brand doing more than single barrels and finding utmost success in every endeavor they seem to take on.
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