New Middle West Bourbon and Dark Pumpernickel Rye

Middle West Spirits may still be a new name to some, but the distillery has deep roots and has built a strong reputation. When we visited last year, we toured their impressive new distillery just outside Columbus and were blown away by both the scale and precision of the operation. These two barrels today are some of the best-valued single barrels we have all year long. 

Founded in 2008, Middle West set out to showcase the unique flavors of the Ohio River Valley. Everything from distilling and aging to packaging takes place just north of downtown Columbus. Their approach combines craftsmanship and originality with a clear respect for the region they call home.

Middle West also began distilling America’s first Dark Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey, a signature four-grain rye made from dark pumpernickel rye, non-GMO open-pollinated yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, and two-row barley.

If you’ve been with us for a while, you may remember our Dark Pumpernickel Rye from early 2024, followed by another release last May and again this past March. It’s a rye we absolutely love having on the site, and what once felt like an IYKYK bottle has quickly become one of our most anticipated single barrels every time we offer it, especially at the price.

The nose begins like an 8- to 10-year rye, with elegant, sweet mature oak layered with caramel-covered apple, lemon-lime powder, maple syrup, and tons of cream soda sweetness.

The palate is chewy and buttery, drinking plump and almost a bit wine-finished with its tingling brightness and trailing light juiciness. Mint-swirled vanilla moves into blackberry cobbler notes before smoked chocolate and molasses creep in.

The finish is heavy with wood sugars and dark chocolate, almost giving Kelvin-like vibes as those darker, seasoned oak notes move into rich brown sugar syrup and spiced dark fruits in the long linger.

As much as we love the rye, the product that got us started with Middle West was their Michelone Reserve Bourbon. Prior to our first rye in 2024, we'd only offered one other Middle West Spirits barrel here on Seelbach's, and it was a bourbon pick I was a part of five years ago, before I joined the Seelbach's team full time.

It’s also been a year and a half since our last bourbon pick, but we are back with  new wheated bourbon.

This 5-year, 5-month-old four-grain bourbon is crafted from the same ingredients of non-GMO yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, two-row barley, and dark pumpernickel rye. Thier unique use of dark pumpernickel rye brings a soft spiciness that balances well with the baking spice essence of the wheat for a nice finish without overwhelming the caramel notes from the corn.

The nose carries mature, aged oak notes alongside rich salted caramel, leather, and blueberry Pop-Tart filling. The more it opens, the more you get a touch of pine-like, cool crispness and thick vanilla cream.

The palate is a viscous mix of berries, toasted brown sugar, and plenty of accompanying spice, from black pepper to nutmeg to a smidge of ginger, with a pretty, sweet oak note underneath. It develops an almost, but not quite, medicinal cherry note that hangs through most of the sip and well into the finish.

Continuing that mix of berries and spices, the finish adds a layer of dark chocolate bark and a touch of cinnamon, lingering long and semi-dry.