225 Club Release No. 3 : Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
Rye whiskey must be at least 51% rye. Rye can come across with a medicinal finish. We wanted to be cautious with that so we kept this right at 51%. We balance the spice with 12.5% millet which adds a beautiful earthy softness to the whiskey. Then we finish it off with 36.5% malted barley. This provides all of the enzymes needed to convert the starches into sugars and contributes subtle sweetness to the mash bill.
Aged in Canton Cooperage American white oak barrels charred at a level 3. Canton makes the best whiskey barrels we have ever seen. Originally a wine barrel only cooperage, they bring in the quality of wine casks to the production of their spirit barrels. And it shows. The staves are air seasoned for 36 months which is 3x longer than normal whiskey barrels. This breaks down the stringent, green grassy notes, common in young wood to be replaced with earthy floral notes and dark sweetness.
The finished spirit is complex and spicy like most ryes but without that medicinal note. It is great on its’ own but develops and opens with new aromas and character with a bit of ice or (filtered) water.
k, k, & m