Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel Single Barrel Rye 122.4 Proof - Selected by Seelbach's

Age: 5 year and 10 months

Proof: 122.4 proof

Mash bill: 79% Dark Pumpernickel Rye, 11% Corn, 5% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley

Tasting Notes: The nose is almost reminiscent of a juice box, with apple juice concentrate up front, followed by notes of caramel, powdered sugar, lemonade, vanilla cream, and elegant oak, alongside a touch of smoke, cardamom, and cedar box.

The palate is dense and chewy, drinking plump and juicy with a depth more reminiscent of an 8 to 10-year rye. Notes of vanilla-dipped dried mango, mixed berry pie, molasses cookies, and heavy simple syrup create a level of slightly tart saturation you might expect from a finished rye, without any finishing. While present, spice is not the focus in this barrel as it was in our previous selection, instead leaning into clarity, sweetness, and punch-like fruitiness.

The finish is long and clean, carrying through with cane sugar syrup, candied orange, lemon-lime soda, and sweet oak, with dazzling sweet-toned baking spices lingering on.

Bottle count: 186 bottles

Seelbach's Story: Middle West Spirits may be a new name to some, but it has deep roots and a strong reputation. During our visit, we toured their impressive new distillery just outside Columbus and were blown away by the scale and precision of their operation.
 
Founded in 2008, Middle West set out to highlight the unique flavors of the Ohio River Valley. Everything they do - from distilling to aging and packaging -happens just north of downtown. Their approach blends craftsmanship, originality, and a clear respect for their regional roots.
 
They 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 2-row barley.