DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
(Buffalo Trace Distillery, KY) 90° prf

Nose: Caramel, nougat, cocoa, brittle, kettle corn, vanilla, cream, maple, honey, jam, candied apple, cherry, dried cherry, grilled figs, figs, apple, green apple, castile soap, toast, nut, cinnamon, spice, tree leaves, pine wood, oak.
Palate: Dark cocoa, nougat, buttery, creamy, brown sugar, honey, prunes, cooked cherries, cherry, coconut, apriums, strawberry, ripe fruit, green apple, mint, herbs, sugar-roasted nuts, toasted nuts, rye, wheat, toast, nutmeg, clove, orange spice, sweet spice, warm spice, spicy, pink peppercorns, black pepper, woody, oak, balanced, well-rounded, smooth.
Finish: Dark chocolate, mandarin, orange, dried cherry, grain, minty, cinnamon, spice, spicy, white pepper, peppery, balanced, complex, Sazerac cocktail preferred, nice, creamy, smooth, mild, warming, beautiful.

Double Gold Medal

Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey
(Hotaling & Co., CA)
100% rye. Aged a minimum 4-1/2 years. 97° prf

Nose: Caramel, nougat, dark chocolate, cream, vanilla, honey, apricot, cherry, ripe plums, ripe bananas, dried apricot, plantains, toast, dry cocoa, coffee, black walnuts, sandalwood, wormwood, nutmeg, spice, musty, dark spiced rum, complex, fragrant.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, cherry, boysenberry, very ripe banana, quince, green apple, fig, cinnamon syrup, buckwheat, toast, nutty, clove, allspice, nutmeg, tarragon, jalapeño, sweet oak, heavy, rich, bold, complex.
Finish: Chocolate-covered cherry, cacao, vanilla, demerara syrup, honey, coffee, tobacco, oak, smooth, balanced, tasty, rich, elegant.

Double Gold Medal

Wigle Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
(Pittsburgh Distilling Co., PA)
Aged 4 years. 100° prf

Nose: Toffee, dark toffee, buttery, caramel, milk chocolate, vanilla, cherry, black cherry, white cherry, pineapple, herbal, mint, menthol, rye, rye bread, rye flair, grain, nutmeg, black coffee, smoky, rich wood, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, cocoa, dark sugar, cream, whipped cream, vanilla, sweet vanilla, maple, raisins, prunes, cherry, plum, orange peel, fresh bread, toast, rye, rye flour, grain, potato, herbal, peppermint, cinnamon, peppery, coffee, tobacco, cigar, leather, tannin, smoke, smoky, oak, nicely balanced, scotch-like, rich, smooth, zesty, mouth-watering.
Finish: Caramel, creamy, maple, dried fruit, corn, ginger, anise, walnut, nutmeg, cloves, spicy, touch of pepper, peppery, oak, good heat, super dry, round, nice, smooth, very pleasant.

Double Gold Medal

John Myer New York Straight Rye Whiskey
(Myer Farm Distillers, NY) 90° prf

Nose: Cocoa, cocoa powder, toasted marshmallow, light brown sugar, honeycomb, honey, cherry, berry, apricot, banana, ginger bread cake, ginger, wheat, grain, flour, sourdough, peppermint, light spice, straw, leather, earthy, new wood, oak, pine, armagnac.
Palate: Toffee, molasses, maple, honey, apricot, banana, dates, figs, dried fruit, orange peel, straw, grain, rye, nut, clove, nutmeg, spice, spicy, burnt toast, tobacco, earth, leather, woody, balanced, smooth, zesty, good rye character, classic.
Finish: Dates, fig jam, orange marmalade, citrus, sourdough, rye, vegetal, nutmeg, spicy, peppery, white pepper, mint, menthol, super dry, creamy, smooth, zesty.

Double Gold Medal

Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey
(KY)
Bottled-In-Bond. 100° prf

Nose: Toffee, cocoa, nougat, maple syrup, maple, buttery, slight vanilla, honey, honeycomb, plums, cherry, cherry juice, banana, strawberry, buckwheat, toast, almond, almond bark, spice, earthy, cedar, mild oak.
Palate: Caramel, maple, buttery, vanilla, honey, cherry, sweet apple, grain, rye grain, walnut, nut, mixed nuts, licorice, mint, cinnamon, dark baking spice, woodsy, oak, bourbon-like, nicely sweet, creamy, smooth.
Finish: Great toffee, caramel, honey, cherry, sweet corn, rye bread, licorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, spice, spicy, smoky, oak, pine, well rounded, well-balanced, soft, smooth, zesty.

Double Gold Medal

MuckleyEye Straight Rye Whiskey
(Colts Neck Stillhouse, NJ)
Aged not less than 2 years. 90° prf

Nose: Toffee, brown sugar, light caramel, creamy, vanilla, honey, banana, ripe banana, pineapple, cherry, mixed berries, pear, apple cider, green apple, ginger, rye, grain, toast, wheat field, bamboo, nutmeg, spice, mixed spices, light char.
Palate: Caramel, sugar cane, burnt sugar, cola, honey, fresh dark plums, cherry, strawberry, ripe banana, apple, grapes, dates, dried fruit, herbal, herbaceous, anise, mint, hazelnut, nutty, rye, cinnamon, spice, white pepper, oak, creamy, smooth, fresh, zingy.
Finish: Dried fruit, brown sugar, creamy, walnut, nutty, rye, tobacco, vegetal, mint, spice, pepper, hint of black pepper, woody, oak, crisp, Manhattan cocktail preferred.

Double Gold Medal

Cleveland Underground Rye Whiskey
(Cleveland Whiskey, OH)
Finished with black cherry wood. 90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, buttery, vanilla, honey, marmalade, cherry, apricot, dried apple, green apple, green apple skins, lemongrass, mint, chamomile, herbal, rye, clove, black pepper, leather, cedar.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, honey, apricot, strawberry, fig, orange zest, dried apple, sour green apple, minty, clove, hint of cinnamon, baking spice, great warm spice, spicy, peppery, wood, pinewood, cedar, oaky, charred barrel, beautiful dryness, zingy texture, creamy, smooth.
Finish: Cherry, plum, soft fig, clover honey, vanilla, grain, mint, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger spice, white pepper, light spice, creamy, soft, smooth, cozy, approachable, elegant, great.

Double Gold Medal

Booker's Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
(James B. Beam Distilling Co., KY)
Aged 13 years. 136.2° prf

Nose: Caramel, heavy caramel, toffee, milk chocolate, cocoa, strong maple, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, cherry, ripe cherries, macerated fruit, marmalade, apricot, floral, herbal, rye, olive brine, tobacco, oak, cedar, interesting, big, beautiful.
Palate: Dark chocolate, cherries, dark cherry, honey, rye, grain, cereal, sweet straw, walnuts, toasted nuts, sweet nuttiness, clove, huge zingy spice, spicy, salty, sea salt, maritime, smooth, rich, cognac, unique, delicious.
Finish: Toffee, mocha, toasted honey, green apple, grain, nutmeg, spicy, peppery, briny, leather, smoky, woody, complex, zesty, awesome.

Double Gold Medal

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
(Knob Creek Distilling Co., KY)
100° prf

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, creamy, buttery, dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, cherry, pineapple, ginger, light rye, bread dough, vegetal, straw, myrtle leaves, nutty, spice, leather, bamboo, sharp wood, forest.
Palate: Caramel, nougat, creamy, molasses, buttery, vanilla, sweet vanilla, honey, dates, cherry, strawberry, pineapple, toast, cereal, mixed grains, minty, cashews, nutty, cinnamon, spice, black pepper, fireplace, oak, cedar, well-balanced, zingy, velvety, smooth.
Finish: Cherry, sweet cherry, vanilla, maple, honey, toasted bread, mint, menthol, nice spice, spicy, white pepper, oak, bourbon, good balance, round, nice, soft, smooth, well made, great.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Monterey Rye – Batch No. 24
(Fog's End Distillery, CA) 90° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, sweet caramel, salted caramel, soft toffee, dark sugars, hot chocolate, strong vanilla, vanilla!, creamy eclairs, honey, apricot, plum, berries, banana, ripe banana peel, buttered popcorn, butter, buttered toasted oats, walnut, earth, gentle oak, dry oak.
Palate: Toffee, buttery caramel, cocoa, light chocolate note, vanilla, powdered sugar, dates, plum, ripe banana peels, minty, peppermint, almond, roasted nuts, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, spicy, peppercorn, rye, leather, oak, nicely balanced, smooth, bold, zesty, delicious.
Finish: Caramel, creamy, green apple, herbal, walnut, hazelnut, spicy, white pepper, peppery, wood, balanced, dry, crisp, silky, tasty, elegant, delightful.

Gold Medal

Sugar House Rye Whiskey
(Sugarhouse Distillery, UT)
80% rye, 10% malted rye. 92° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, burnt sugar, raisins, dried apples, hint of strawberry, plum, ginger, mint, black tea, flour, nut, sweet nuttiness, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, pepper, tobacco, wood chips, tree bark, oak, very oaky.
Palate: Toffee, nougat, cocoa, dark brown sugar, butter, creamy, sweet vanilla, honey, cherry, apricot, orange, citrus, green apple, mint, sweet pea, rye, grain, mixed grains, nuttiness, nutmeg, spice, white pepper, tobacco leaves, oak, great balance, smooth.
Finish: Vanilla, creamy, creamed corn, cocoa, semi-sweet raisins, dried fruit, orange zest, herbs, pepper, toast, coffee, leather, oaky, well balanced, approachable, zesty, velvety, silky, smooth, Old Fashioned cocktail.

Gold Medal

Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey
(Old Fashioned Copper Distillery, Frankfort, KY)
Bottled-In-Bond. Aged at least 4 years. 100° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, nougat, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, honey, bananas, bubble gum, orange rind, crystallized ginger rye toast, walnuts, nutty, clove, spice, oak, brandy.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, cocoa, mocha, hot mocha, chocolate, vanilla, dried fruit, cherry, ripe banana, apricot, apples, green apple, orange peel, citron, strong citrus, grain, rye flour, rye, classic rye character, nutty, pepper, spice, spicy, black pepper, oak, zingy, rich, smooth.
Finish: Mocha, crème brûlée, banana pudding, sherry, mint julep, citrus, walnut, nutty, rye, grain, light spice, peppery, clean, zingy, zesty, smooth, approachable.

Gold Medal

No. 4 Westchester Rye Whiskey
(StillTheOne Distillery, NY)
100% New York State rye. Aged 34 months. 90° prf

Nose: Caramel, nougat, brown sugar, sugar cane, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, honey, pineapple, plum, root vegetables, herb, minty, rye flour, grain, roasted hazelnut, nutty, allspice, thyme, earthy, leather, camp fire, oak, cognac.
Palate: Salted caramel, burnt custard, cream, sugar cane, maple, sweet pastry, butter, bananas foster, apricot, dark cherry, plum, toasty apples, green apple, ginger, herbs, rye, toast, walnuts, roasted nuts, nuts, spice, baking spice, black pepper, charred cedar, oak.
Finish: Maple, grain, toast, grain, mint, clove, cinnamon, spicy, citrus zest, zesty, very flavorful, nice sweetness, bold, rich, memorable.

Gold Medal

Driftless Glen Straight Rye Whiskey – Single Barrel
(Driftless Glen Distillery, WI)
Aged minimum 2 years. 96° prf

Nose: Light toffee, buttered rum, sugar cane, strong vanilla, maple, honey, ripe peaches, plum, strawberry, walnuts, nutty, bread, cinnamon, menthol, spearmint, tobacco, leather, rum-like, bourbon-like.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, sugar cane, creamy, vanilla, sweet cake, dates, plum, cherry, sweet fruit, apple, anise, mint, herb, roasted almonds, rye, strong rye, clove, spice, spicy, leather, woody, oaky, mellow oak, balanced, good sweet note, rich, zesty.
Finish: Caramel, dark chocolate, nougat, buttery, vanilla, raisin, apple, herbs, grain, spicy, peppery, earthy, oak, balanced, zingy, zesty, smooth, approachable.

Gold Medal

Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye
(Kentucky Springs Distilling Co., KY)
Kentucky straight rye whiskey blended with Canadian rye whisky and port. 80° prf

Nose: Caramel, nougat, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, dried apricot, dried fruit, ripe bananas, banana, rich plum, strawberry, sweet green apple, cola nut, walnuts, toast, anise, clove, very light cinnamon, leather, cedar, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, nougat, buttery, creamy, vanilla cream, sugar cane, heavy sugar, sweet ripe banana, sweet plum, plums, raisins, raw dough, flour, nuts, roasted nuts, rye, spice, spicy, pepper, black pepper, well balanced, smooth, soft approach, very mellow.
Finish: Toffee, creamy, buttery, brown butter, honey, dried prunes, dried fruits, rye flour, walnut, pecan, nutty, cinnamon, nutmeg, oak, lingering sweetness, bourbon-like, rich, bright, lively, beautiful.

Gold Medal

1420 Hemped Rye Spirit
(Sono 1420 Artisan Distillers, CT)
Distilled from 75% rye, 15% corn & 10% milled hemp seed. 92° prf

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, raisin, prune, dried berries, ripe banana, apricot, cherry, strawberry, green apple, citrus, herbs, eucalyptus, floral, perfume-y, rye flour, grain, spice, light tobacco, oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, maple, honey, raisins, dried apricot, dried fruit, cherry, green apples, orange zest, floral, herbs, mint, fresh mint, menthol, anise, nutty, cinnamon, spicy, lots of pepper, green walnuts, coffee, leather, tobacco, light smoke, smoke, well balanced, zesty, smooth, approachable.
Finish: Dark chocolate, creamy, vanilla, honey, dried pears, orange blossom, citrus, peppery, spicy, black pepper, rye flour, oak, light oak, woody, winter season, balanced, complex, soft, smooth, gentle, pleasant, elegant.

Gold Medal

New Holland Beer Barrel Rye
(New Holland Brewing Co., MI) 88° prf
Rested in American oak, finished in Dragon’s Milk beer barrels.

Nose: Caramel, nougat, cocoa, chocolate, butter, sugar cane, molasses, maple, caramel apple, dried apricots, basket of fruits, banana, cherry, strawberry, pear, lemon, green apple skins, rose, sweet herbs, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, leather.
Palate: Toffee, dark sugar, vanilla, honey, apricot candy, apricots, sweet cherries, Rainier cherries, tangy cherry, plum, papaya, herbal, barley, rye, malty, coffee, rosemary, oregano, spicy, black pepper, licorice, mossy, leather, wood, powerful punch, smooth.
Finish: Sweet cherries, cherry note, apricot, dried fruit, herb, amaretto, resin, grain, rye, coffee, spicy, pepper, balanced, zesty.

Gold Medal

Hillrock Estate Double Cask Rye Whiskey
(Hillrock Estate Distillery, NY)
Aged under 4 years. Master Distiller Dave Pickerell. 90° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, nougat, dark sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, sweet vanilla, honey, dried fruit, cherry, wild cherry, plum, pineapple, ginger, grain, rye, wheat flour, nutty, mint, cloves, spice, saline, leather, oak.
Palate: Toffee, chocolate, chocolate nut, sugar cane, maple syrup, dried fruit, dried apricot, dried dates, sweet cherry, cherry, banana, strawberry, oatmeal, wheat, malt, rye, tobacco, fresh fig leaves, tobacco leaf, earthy, herbal, clove, cinnamon, spicy, smoky, leather, oak, sweet at first, rich, smooth.
Finish: Dried cherries, dried fig, creamy, choco/tobacco, tobacco, rye, rye bread, grain, mint, walnuts, black pepper, forest floor, woody, oaky, spicy, lively, zingy, zesty.

Gold Medal

Driftless Glen 51 Rye Whiskey
(Driftless Glen Distillery, WI)
Aged more that 2 years. 102° prf

Nose: Dark chocolate, chocolatey, caramel, caramel custard, soft hint of butter, maple, vanilla, honey, cherries, apple peel, ginger, hint of mint, roasted beans, black tea, rye, clove, cinnamon, spicy, leather, camp fire, oak.
Palate: Caramel, demerara, maple, honey, cherries, plum, apricot, citrus, toast, mixed grains, rye, mint, nutty, clove, spice, spicy, pepper, black pepper, leather, very woody, oak, bitter oak, nicely sweet, creamy.
Finish: Vanilla, dates, cherry, dried orange peels, lemon rind, lemon zest, spicy, tobacco, woodsy, wood tannin, oak, cedar, creamy, smooth.

Gold Medal

Lost Republic Rye Whiskey
(Lost Republic Distilling Co., Healdsburg, CA)
Aged not less than 2 years. 90° prf

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, nougat, cocoa, chocolate, Milky Way bar, cream, sweet, babka, maple, light burnt sugar, hint of honey, ripe banana, vanilla, cherry, dark cherry, jasmine, toasty, walnut, nutmeg, cinnamon, white peppercorn, leather, earth, fresh cut wood, woody, oak.
Palate: Cherry, banana, banana peel, zesty tangerine, dried fruit, green apple skins, ginger, mint, herbs, dry grass, grain, buttery, graham cracker, toast, spice cake, sweet cinnamon, allspice, spicy, black pepper, perfume, leather, smoky, charred wood, oak, balanced.
Finish: Caramel, apricot, ripe apples, citrus, mint, herbs, spicy, peppery, black pepper, grain, oak, well balanced, nice zing, zingy, zesty.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Wigle Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
(Pittsburgh Distilling Co., PA)
Monongahela rye. Certified organic. 84° prf

Nose: Caramel, Charleston Chew, buttery, nougat, cocoa, dark chocolate, vanilla, crème brûlée, cotton candy, honey, cherry, dried cherry, banana, pineapple, dried oats, toasty, flour, wheat flour, grain, matzo, bamboo shoots, hazelnut, sweet nuttiness, roasted nuts, spice, spicy, leather, woodsy, oak, bourbon barrel.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, sugar cane, honey, red cherry, orange, dried fruit, barley, herbs, grainy, nuttiness, clove, nutmeg, spicy, pepper, mint, green leaves, earthy, tobacco, leather, oak, fresh oak, cedar, great mouth feel, bright, tasty, beautifully creamy, smooth, gentle.
Finish: Dark chocolate, mocha, toasted, grain, buttery, leather, orange zest, pepper, herbs & spice, wood spice, softly spicy, balanced, zesty, elegant, great for cocktails.

Silver Medal

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
(Rabbit Hole Distillery, KY)
95% rye, 5% malted rye. Aged over 3 years. 95° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, butter, vanilla, marzipan, maple, maple syrup, honey, dried figs, apricot, spiced fruit, ginger, sweetened breakfast cereal & milk, corn, rye flour, nut, peanuts, spice, mineral, green leaves, bark, oaky.
Palate: Caramel, sugar cane, honey, clover honey, maple, cherry, apricot, ripe banana, dried fruit, sweet potato, vegetal, veggie, rye, grain, toasted grain, nutty, mint, cinnamon, spice, hot spice, black pepper, leather, oak, full flavor, creamy, smooth.
Finish: Creamy, raisins, pineapple, green apples, ginger, minty, anise, roasted nuts, tarragon, spicy, peppery, white pepper, nice, cozy.

Silver Medal

Yellow Rose Distilling Rye Whiskey
(Yellow Rose Distilling, TX)
Aged at least 1 year. 90° prf

Nose: Brown sugar, honey, ripe plum, cherry, apple, green apple, lemon zest, citrus, green grass, arugula, straw, smooth grain, nutty, nutmeg, hint of clove, cinnamon, spice, pepper, hints of pepper, faint leather, oaky, charred oak, aged barrel.
Palate: Nougat, honey, macerated apple, green apple, citrus, orange zest, ginger, green grass, herbs, straw, grain, walnuts, toasted walnuts, clove, bright nutmeg, spice, pepper, apple jack, soft leather, oak, creamy, buttery, well balanced, smooth.
Finish: Creamy, sugar cane, lemon, anise, nutty, oak, pepper, jalapeno, spicy, zingy, zesty, pleasant, great.

Silver Medal