DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

King's Family Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey
Aged 6 yrs.
(IN / TN)  122° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, creamy,vanilla, demerara, dark brown sugar, powdered sugar, honey, toasted coconut, corn, walnut, roasted nuts, rye, white pepper, tannin.
Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, sugarcane, vanilla, cream, butter, kettle corn, orange, sweet ginger, sweet grain, nutty, rye, mint, clove, spicy, toasty, oak, rich in texture & taste, creamy, zesty.
Finish: Caramel, buttery, maple syrup, ripe banana, orange, clove, spice, peppery, dried leaves, oak, big & spicy, nice & spicy, well balanced, smooth, a winter sipper, delicious.

Double Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey
(Aged & Bottled in NY & TN)  100° prf

Nose: Sweet toffee, chocolate, brown sugar, honey, ripe banana, green apple, citrus, light ginger, Grape Nuts cereal, barley, floral spice, perfumed, cinnamon, tarragon, buttery oak, fragrant.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, sweet chocolate, cocoa, butter, creamy vanilla, marzipan, honey, dried apricot, cherry, apple, grain, macadamia nut, nutmeg, spice, white pepper, peppery, oaked, well balanced, yumminess.
Finish: Terry’s milk chocolate orange, nougat, honey, dried apricot, apple, citrus, spicy, peppery, high note of avocado, soft, smooth, rich, elegant.

Double Gold Medal

Fame & Misfortune Straight Rye Whiskey
Finished in Cream Sherry Casks
(Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)  93° prf

Nose: Caramel, milk chocolate, cocoa, cola, vanilla, honey, dried plum, sweet rye, pepper, cinnamon, mint, old vine, fresh wood, new wood, oak, toast, leather, soft.
Palate: Creamy caramel, butterscotch, nougat, demerara, brown sugar, dark sugar, cocoa, dried fruit, citrus, rich floral, dry herbal, mint, tobacco, grain, clove, cinnamon, spicy, black pepper, woody, oak, well balanced.
Finish: Caramel, cocoa, cocoa powder, vanilla, honey, cooked dates, orange, grain, spicy, bold, rich, flavorful, tasty.

Double Gold Medal

King's Family Distillery Ryeconic
Twice Barreled Straight Rye Whiskey
(IN / TN)  Aged 6 yrs, 10 months.   112.7° prf

Nose: Caramel, fire toasted crème brulee, cocoa cream, nougat, butter, cookie dough, honey, fermented honey, apricot, spearmint, sweet grain, fresh bread, nutty, sweet bourbon.
Palate: Vanilla, cocoa cream, whipped cream with caramel drizzle, creamy grain, manuka honey, orange blossom honey, orange, orange zest, lemon, red apple, ginger, mint, nutty, nutmeg, spicy, black pepper, black peppercorns, lightly toasted.
Finish: Lingering orange, ginger, grain, spicy, peppery, black pepper, dark rum, rye Boulevardier, a winter sipper, clean & fresh, soft, creamy, smooth.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

FEW Straight Rye Whiskey
(FEW Spirits, IL)
 93° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, cocoa, mocha, nougat, dark sugar, cooked honey, apricot, prune, Golden Delicious apple, dark licorice, wheat, rye bread with caraway, nutty, musty, piney, oaky.
Palate: Butterscotch, dark chocolate, mocha, nougat, dark sugar, honey, orange zest, orange blossom, ginger, fennel, wheat, rye, almond, roasted nuts, nuttiness, clove, cinnamon, spice, black pepper, woody, oak, spicy oak, sweet wine, supple, rich.
Finish: Nice toffee, caramel, nougat, sugarcane, honey, dried fig, ginger, mint, almonds, root, lingering spice, oak barrel, balanced, nice, rich.

Gold Medal

Dented Brick Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey
Cabernet Barrel Finished
(UT)  90° prf.

Nose: Toffee, chocolate, molasses, buttercream frosting, honey, sweet corn, mint, clove, cashew, toasted corn nuts, oak, leather.
Palate: Kraft caramels, vanilla ice cream, vanilla bean, nougat, molasses, cane, candy corn, honey, orange peel, gingerbread, corn, rye, grain, fresh herbs, spice, black pepper, walnuts, nutty, toasty pine nuts, toasty, burnt toast, oaky, rich, creamy.
Finish: Creamy caramel, chocolate note, molasses, lingering honey, dried apricot, spice, nice heat, tasty.

Gold Medal

Bespoken Spirits Rye Whiskey
(IN / S.F., CA)  Finished with twice toasted oak staves.  100° prf

Nose: Rich toffee, cocoa, molasses, sugarcane, classic rye, walnut, clove, cinnamon, cinnamon stick, rosemary, tobacco, pleather, oak, wooden house, pinot wine barrel, deep sherry.
Palate: Vanilla, buttery, cocoa, brown sugar, honey, candied ginger, hint of mint, cashew, roasted filberts, clove, cinnamon, spicy, pepper, smoke, palo santo, oak, port wine, bold.
Finish: Dark rum cane sugar, minty, cashew, clove, spicy, toasty, oak, clay, balanced, original, round, layered flavors, bold, tasty, great finish.

Gold Medal

Alton Distillery New York Straight Rye Whiskey
(Bethel, NY)  Locally sourced grains.   94° prf.

Nose: Caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, ripe banana, apricot, stone fruit, raisin, aged grapes, ginger, wheat, grain, fermented sage, leather, woody, oak, oak staves, red wine, port.
Palate: Toffee, cocoa, cream, vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, dark sugar, honey, cooked apples, apricot, orange, citrus, ginger, mint, eucalyptus, dried leaves, rye, spicy, oak, sweet edge, everything in balance.
Finish: Dried apricot, apple, molasses, clove, nutmeg, spice, pepper, roasted nuts, toasty, leather, nice, smooth, brawny.

Gold Medal

Widow Jane Paradigm Rye
(Widow Jane Distillery, Brooklyn, NY)
Blend of straight rye whiskies aged in new American oak barrels.
93° prf

Nose: Light toffee, hint of cocoa, vanilla, cane sugar, honey, ripe banana, green apple, orange zest, Cheerios, dry grain, wheat stack in the wind, light spice, oak.
Palate: Butterscotch, nougat, chocolate, cream, vanilla, honey, dried apricot, dried fruit, cherry, banana peel, apple, star anise, orange, orange peel, grain, dried leaves, clove, nutmeg, sweet spice, spices, white pepper, buttery, oak, port, rich sherry, smooth.
Finish: Honey, apricot, orange, fruity, dried leaves, dusty, spicy, peppery, lingering pepper, wood, subtle oak, leather, cognac, clean, good for cocktails, unique, great.

Gold Medal

Dented Brick Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey
Bottled in Bond
(UT)  100° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa, butter, vanilla, sugarcane, brown sugar, powdered sugar, ripe banana, apple, red apple, bread, grain, ginger, spicy, leather.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, brown sugar, nougat, toasted marshmallows, buttery, vanilla, honey, dried apricot, green apple, orange, orange peel, citrus, toasted cereal, almond, nutty, clove, white pepper, spices, spicy oak, creamy.
Finish: Buttery, clove, spicy, layered, persistent, fresh, clean, smooth, creamy, tasty, pleasant, easy drinking, classic rye.

Gold Medal

Red Line Straight Rye Whiskey
(Silent Brigade Distillery, KY)  Aged 5 yrs. Cask strength.  111° prf

Nose: Toffee, molasses, cocoa, nougat, vanilla, honey, banana, apple, creamy oatmeal, mixed grains, rye, ginger, faint mint, wet rocks, woody, oak.
Palate: Chocolate, vanilla, powdered sugar, honey, caramel apple, cooked apple, ripe banana, sweet corn, orange zest, citrus, grassy, tobacco leaves, strong rye, nutmeg, spicy, black pepper, leather, buttery, oak, Palo Santo, bold.
Finish: Stroopwafel, lingering honey, dried apricot, orange, citrus, dried leaves, woody, smooth, creamy, leather, tar, solid, rich.

Gold Medal

FEW Immortal Rye Whiskey
(FEW Spirits, IL)  With cold extracted 8 Immortal Oolong Tea.  93° prf

Nose: Chocolate cream, brown sugar, honey, prune, dried fruit mix, floral, Townhouse crackers, toast, fresh nuttiness, cinnamon, talcum powder, musty, musk, black tar, tannins, aged wood, woody, oak.
Palate: Dark chocolate, vanilla, nougat, sugarcane, brown sugar, honey, raisin, plum, corn, lemon zest, citrus, anise, herbs, black tea, sorghum, nut, popcorn, clove, cinnamon, spice, peppery, oaky, rich, silky, easy drinking.
Finish: Vanilla, sugar, prune, ripe cherry, hint of apple, mint, black walnut, white pepper, spicy, rich, zesty, solid.

Gold Medal

Xplorer American Rye Whiskey
( Kilimanjaro Distillery, PA)  Aged 1 year.  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, caramel corn, brown sugar, honey, orange marmalade, black banana, red apple skin, lemon, fresh citrus, carnations, nutty, black pepper, tobacco leaf, new wood, woody, leather, musk.
Palate: Molasses, brown sugar, buttery, dried fruit, ripe banana, sweet honey, orange peel, lemon, citrus, minty, grain, cereal notes, nutty, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, Red Hots, Fireball, Jawbreaker, spiced cream, spice, leather, woody, nice roundness, smooth.
Finish: Apricot, nutty, hint of clove, cinnamon, Fireball, lingering black pepper, nice peppery finish, woody, well balanced, tasty, creamy, smooth, nice, gentle, mellow, elegant.

Gold Medal

Widow Jane Apple Wood Rye
(Widow Jane Distillery, Brooklyn, NY)  Blend of straight rye whiskies finished with toasted apple wood staves.  93° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, vanilla, cream, honey, apricot, dried fruit, citrus, elderflower, herbal, rye, leather, tannin, applewood, oak.
Palate: Chocolate, cocoa, honey cream, honey, apricot, dried apricot, banana, banana bread, apple, lemon, bitter lime, orange zest, ginger, minty, rye, walnut, clove, cinnamon, spicy, black pepper, oak, butter, leather, rich.
Finish: Chocolate, honey, toast with apricot jam, citrus, spicy, clean, fresh, creamy, rich, elegant, flavorful, tasty, well done.

Gold Medal

Fort Hamilton Rye Whiskey
Aged 5 years.
(Fort Hamilton Distillery, Brooklyn, NY)  90° prf

Nose: Toffee, dark chocolate, toasted brown sugar, vanilla, marshmallow, orange,lemon peel, ginger, wildflower pollen, sweet grains, rye, corn grain, sweet vinegar, cinnamon, spice, white pepper, leather, barley mash fumes.
Palate: Nougat, light cream, cocoa, sugarcane, honey, Honeycomb cereal, sweet pastry, light apricot, dried fig, licorice, allspice, clove, peppery, grassy, malt, leather, earth, old dry oak, woody, balanced flavors, creamy, rich.
Finish: Toffee, deep chocolate, nougat, walnut, clove, allspice, spicy, smoky, woody, beautiful sweet finish, nice, smooth, very rich, tasty.

Gold Medal

Prosperous & Penniless Rye Malt Whiskey
(Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)
Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.   89.2° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, red apple, green apple, yellow plum, dried stone fruit, dried fruit, ginger, cornflakes, cereal, rye, grain, cinnamon, grassy, pine cone, new wood, oaky.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, cocoa, brown sugar, rich maple, vanilla, honey, red apple, orange zest, dry citrus, licorice, grain, toast, sweet nuttiness, cinnamon, spice, dried leaves, oak, woody, creamy, smooth, very approachable, easy drinking.
Finish: Caramel, burnt caramel, lingering orange peel, French toast, toast, bread, nuttiness, clove, sweet spice, complex, rich, easy drinking, very tasty.

Gold Medal

Axe and the Oak Distillery Incline Rye Whiskey
(Colorado Springs, CO)  Aged 3 yrs.  98° prf

Nose: Caramel, nougat, toasted brown sugar, honey, apple, citrus, dried fruit, nutty, grain, good moldy notes, leather, pine, oak, spicy oak.
Palate: Sweet toffee, vanilla, Juicy Juice, apricots, orange peel, Orange Crush with cereal, Alpha Bits sans marshmallow, honeysuckle, floral, herbal, soft mint, rye toast, black pepper, spiciness, leather, oak, buttery, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Sweet sugarcane, honey, apricot, citrus, sweet beer, wheat, grain, minty, balanced, bold, nice & round, creamy, pleasant, easy drinking, beautiful.

Gold Medal

Nashville Barrel Company Straight Rye Whiskey
Cask Strength
(TN)  Distilled in Indiana. Aged 7 years.  110.09° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, Baker’s chocolate, molasses, burnt sugar, brown sugar, buttery, vanilla, honey, marzipan, raisin, banana peel, apple, green cut grass, light rye grain, cinnamon, peat, cedar, oak, heavy char, rich.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, cream, vanilla, coconut, raisin, apricot, orange, herbaceous, mint, rye, allspice, spices, sweet spice, pepper, peat, smoky, heavy char, barrel, wild bark, woody, oak, bold, silky, succulent.
Finish: Caramel, treacle, vanilla, mint, slight anise, allspice, lingering spice, peppery, tobacco hints, stone, musty, woodsy, bold, rich, tasty, perfect.

Gold Medal

Fame & Misfortune Straight Rye Whiskey
Finished in Angelica Casks
(Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, honey, sweet cherry, pinot grapes, apple, dried fruit, peppermint, grain, toasted grain, walnut, roasted nuts, clove, fresh wood, oak, wine barrel, smoky, soft.
Palate: Caramel, cocoa, vanilla, banana, grain, sweet grain, toast, black walnut, nutty, herbs, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, spice, leather, root, earthy, oak, rich, zesty, creamy.
Finish: Lingering honey, buttery, grain, cereal, spicy cardamom, spice forward, peppery, root, soft, rich, flavorful.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

High Peaks Landrace Empire Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
(Lake George, NY)  84° prf

Nose: Toffee, sugarcane, cocoa, buttery, vanilla, malted grain, barley, dill, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, Indian spices, leather, woody, new wood, soft.
Palate: Caramel, cocoa, buttery, vanilla, clover honey, dried apricot, anise, mint, walnuts, deep coffee, clove, scented Halloween cinnamon broom, white pepper, black pepper, spicy, leather, toasty, dry oak, creamy mouthfeel, zesty.
Finish: Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, orange peel, peppery, spicy burst, mineral, musty, some char, oaky, clean, easy drinking.

Silver Medal

BHAKTA 1928 Straight Rye Whiskey
(Balthazar Rex, VT)  60% Rye, 30% Calvados, 10% Armagnac.
100° prf

Nose: Chocolate, cola, café au lait, honey, ripe banana, apricot, dried apricot, apple, buckwheat pancakes with butter, grain, warm spices, leather.
Palate: Toffee, nougat, creamy, vanilla, cola, honey, dried apricot, dried figs, citrus, mint, celery, shell, waffle cone, walnuts, sweet nuttiness, roasted mixed nuts, coriander, warm spices, spicy, oak, sharp woodiness, creamy mouthfeel, dessert, rich.
Finish: Toffee, caramel lined waffle cone, nougat, hint of cocoa, dried figs, lemony, creamy spice, peppery, root, oak, buttery, creamy, rich, plush, great.

Silver Medal

Ammunition Straight Rye Whiskey
Finished in Pinot Noir Barrels
(Daylight Wine & Spirits, Sonoma County, CA)  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, molasses, light nougat, vanilla, honey, red cherry, ripe banana, bergamot, lemon zest, citrus, flowery, dill, grain, rosewood, hint of cedar wood, woody.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, honey, apricot, dried fruit, orange zest, lemon, floral notes, herbal, mint, anise, grassy, clove, allspice, sweet spice, pepper, black pepper, cereal, leather, woodsy, fresh cut oak, smooth, zesty, rich.
Finish: Caramel, vanilla, honey, lingering orange, orange blossom, mint, spicy, peppery, leather, toast, oak, clean, fresh, nice, big, zesty, rich, tasty.

Silver Medal

Leatherwood Distillery Check Point Rye Whiskey
(TN)  113.1° prf

Nose: Toffee, dusty cocoa, marzipan,vanilla, sweet cream, creamy, honey, honeysuckle,sweet apple, banana, orange, green apple, almond, toasted whole wheat, warm spices, oak, sweet oak.
Palate: Vanilla, marzipan, orange chocolate, orange, honey, dried fruit, melon, citrus, red apple skin, ginger, grain, toasted bread, walnut, olive oil, spicy, black pepper, hint of peaty-ness, woody, oak, nicely balanced, zesty, rich.
Finish: Ginger, orange skin, wheat, toast, spicy, lingering sweetness & spice, earthy smokiness, balanced alcohol, tastes like Christmas, rich, zesty.

Silver Medal

Fame & Misfortune Straight Rye Whiskey Cask Strength
(Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)  121° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, cocoa, warm cocoa, creamy, vanilla, honey, orange candy, lemon, minty, fresh baked biscuits, roasted nuts, light spice, new birch wood, oak.
Palate: Butterscotch, mixed fruits, rich orange, melon, sweet grains, ginger, walnut, dry pecans, cinnamon, pink peppercorns, black pepper, hot pepper, peppery, wood, oak, scotch-like, zesty.
Finish: Nougat, grain, spice, pink peppercorns, black pepper, peppery, earthiness, woody, fresh, persistent, big, amazingly easy drinking.

Silver Medal

Defiant Rye Whisky
(Blue Ridge Distilling Co., NC)  100% rye.  90° prf

Nose: Nougat, ripe banana, dried banana, dried fruit & nuts, grapes, black olives, sour dough, grain, rye flour, rye, allspice, smoky BBQ pork, earth, wood barrel, new wood cask, oak.
Palate: Butterscotch, maple, buttery, vanilla, Maraschino cherries, dried dark fruit, plantain, grain, wheat, rye, rye toast, walnut, nutmeg, sweet spice, meaty, earth, stone, woody, oaky.
Finish: Mocha, dark sugar, grain, brine, wet rocks, toasty, oak, old wine, Armagnac, soft, tasty.

Silver Medal

New Basin Distilling Resignation Straight Rye Whiskey
(OR)  Aged 3-1/2 years.  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, cocoa, vanilla, buttery, cream, maple, Frosted Flakes, oatmeal, grain, rye, dark cherry, dried banana, citrus, eucalyptus, grassy, cinnamon, some toastiness, woody, fresh cut pine, oak.
Palate: Caramel, dark chocolate, buttery, honey, orange blossom honey, dates, dried banana, ripe cherry, sweet nuttiness, grain, rye, rye flour, rye bread, white pepper, black pepper, earthy, root, tannin, smoky, charred new wood, oak, bittersweet, hearty, robust.
Finish: Caramel, Frosted Flakes, cereal, walnut, almond, nutty, allspice, spicy, dry wood, smooth, easy drinking, creamy, rich.

Silver Medal

Brother’s Bond American Blended Rye Whiskey
(Brother’s Bond Distilling Company, OH)  Distilled in Indiana.
Four-grain, 77% rye.  95° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, buttery, vanilla, honey, baked apple, hints of orange candy, ripe corn, walnuts, strong rye grain, nutmeg, spices, fresh wood, new pine, oaky.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, vanilla, honey, pecan pie, dried apricot, green apple, tea leaves, almond, nutty, malt, rye, toast, spicy, pepper, white pepper, black pepper, leather, oak, cognac notes, sherry, sharp bite, high proof, big, rich, classic rye.
Finish: Vanilla, white chocolate café, coconut ice, dried apricot, citrus, toasty bread, cereal, malty, nutty, nutmeg, spicy, peppery, black pepper, earthy, woody, oaky, bold, powerful, nice, creamy.

Silver Medal

Mersey Craft Spirits Straight Rye Whiskey
(FA Poole & Co. Distillers, AL)  91° prf

Nose: Nougat, burnt sugar, buttery, vanilla, cherry, apple, grain, toasted grain, roasted nuts, nutty, walnut, cinnamon, cider vinegar, wet leather, oak, sherry, muscat.
Palate: Vanilla, honey, dried fruit, mixed ripe fruit, hint of banana, creamed corn, pecans, nutty, anise, dill, ginger, nutmeg, peppery, oaky, spice, spicy, zesty, toasty, smoke, velvety, creamy, rich.
Finish: Caramel, brown sugar, roasted charred pepper, clove, spicy, zesty, creamy, smooth, soft, delicate, bright, tasty, pretty, elegant.

Silver Medal

Fame & Misfortune Straight Rye Whiskey
Finished in Port Casks
(Calistoga Depot Distillery, CA)  96° prf

Nose: Caramel, bittersweet chocolate, deep molasses, brown sugar, sugarcane, nougat, vanilla, honey, plum, red berries, red apple, light citrus, ginger, cinnamon, rye spice, toasted bread, burnt toast, wet wood, ripe, zesty.
Palate: Toffee, rich cane sugar, dark sugar, sweet corn, ripe banana, orange peel, herbs, mint, eucalyptus, root, rye, grain, Cheerios, nutty, clove, black pepper, spicy, oak, raw oak, wine barrel, classic port, extremely smooth.
Finish: Berries, apple, orange, nuttiness, walnut shells, cinnamon, spicy, black pepper, touch of oak, nice sherry, big, layered, clean, fresh, rich, tasty.

Silver Medal

Goodwood Straight Rye Whiskey
(Goodwood Brewing & Spirits, IN/KY)  Aged 2 years in new oak
and a minimum of 30 days in English beer barrels.  90° prf

Nose: Dark cocoa, cola, nougat, creamy vanilla, maple, honey, apricot, banana, green apple, orange peel, bergamot, sage, clove, spicy, grain, woodsy, new wood, fresh oak.
Palate: Cooked toffee,vanilla, cherry, dried apricot, fruit candy, orange peel, sweet grain, toasted cereal, toast, walnut, nutty, mint, anise, slightly floral, grassy, tobacco leaves, clove, spicy, buttery, oak.
Finish: Nice toffee, clove, spice, pepper, dried leaves, leather, toast, wood, clean, bright, soft, easy dinking.

Silver Medal