Pinhook Rye’d On Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Not sure where I happened upon Pinhook Rye’d On, nor what it cost, but NCABC pricing is currently 42 beans. This 97 proof Rye is from the 2020 crop according to the bottle. This particular Rye was distilled and aged over 2 years at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY. The aroma was quite subdued, but presented with caramel, rye, and hints of spearmint. The flavor was more bold with the same caramel and rye, but the spearmint was strong, almost too strong. The finish was spearmint and peaches long with hints of rye and black pepper fading into the aftertaste. It was ok, but I’m not a big fan of spearmint and spearmint mixed with peaches is just a bit too much for me. So it’s a decent rye and fairly easy to consume, but it’s not one I’d come back to at that price of admission. Give it a try if you are a spearmint fan as it just might be your cup of tea.

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey

I tend to gravitate toward Kentucky Bourbon and Rye so I was hesitant to grab a bottle of Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey, but I am so glad I did. This California Bourbon wasn’t a screaming bargain at 40 beans, but it also isn’t a bottle which will break the bank. At 45% abv this isn’t a weak Willie, but at 90 proof it’s a little bit shy of my preferred level of alcohol of 100 proof. Anyway, I tried not to like this Bourbon, but the lower the level became in the bottle, the more I realized I had found a new favorite. Some may find it just a bit sweet, but it is 90 proof so it should present with more sweet than heat. The aroma was brown sugar, caramel, cedar, hints of rye, and a substantial oak backbone. The flavor was was more brown sugar and caramel, cedar, rye, oak, honey, and black pepper. The finish and aftertaste were pleasant flavors of brown sugar, cedar, black pepper, and oak fading into the aftertaste. I can see bringing this one to a party since it will be a new one to most people and it could hold it’s own if pitted against other bottles. You should give this one a whirl.

PS: The namesake for this Bourbon is a 1,138 year old tree, located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which stands 367 feet tall.