I love these funky McKenzie ryes. After Pursuit Series 018 Finger Lakes Distilling pick I've been chasing this whiskey. It's so different from ordinary rye's. It packs plenty of rye spice. But, it also layers in unique fruit and citrus notes.

There's something special about barrels made from 36-month air-dried staves. On average, whiskey barrels are dried for 6-months. The additional aging naturally leaches tannins from the oak. That leaves less harsh oak and wood notes for the whiskey to pickup. It allows the natural vanilla and caramel notes to shine brighter. Mix this with and extremely flavorful high-rye rye whiskey and you have an incredible combo!

Mash Bill: 80/20 Rye/Malted Barley

Proof: 101.8 proof (barrel proof)

Barrel: #1855, 53-gallon, Char #4, 36 months air-dried staves

Barrel Date: 8/11/15

Age: 4.5 Years

Tasting Notes:  The nose is an immediate baking spice reminiscent of Christmas cake. The taste is all kinds of fruit and spice. There are notes of lemon curd and blueberries. It's cinnamon and cardamom. The finish lingers with a little vanilla frosting, blueberry cobbler and oak.