First St. Patrick’s Day and now Mardi Gras. What vacation will Kentucky Owl rejoice subsequent? (Arbor Day! -Ed.) Kentucky Owl Mardi Gras XO Cask debuted late final fall, alongside one other expensive bottling, Batch 12 Bourbon, and effectively upfront of the Massive Simple’s well-known Carnival season. It’s been a number of years since Stoli supplied a Kentucky Owl Rye, so it was certainly a welcome shock to followers, though the model isn’t precisely telegraphing a giant return for the label. Described as “a particularly small launch,” I may not maintain my breath for extra rye to return, which Stoli will certainly let you know is factored into the worth. As for the vitals, that is an 11-year-old sourced Kentucky straight rye completed for over a 12 months in casks that beforehand held Bayou XO Rum. Ever since Angel’s Envy popularized the type, we’ve encountered a number of rum-finished rye whiskeys from totally different producers over time, however by no means one fairly this outdated (no less than to not my data). Does it justify such a hefty admission value? Let’s style and discover out.
On the nostril, this rye is expressive and wealthy, paying homage to the earliest batches with loads of darkish baking spice and toffee to enrich and stability the minty rye spice. It doesn’t come throughout instantly as a rum-finished expression with the secondary growing older displaying a deft integration with a fragile, torched sugar sweetness and a mildly tropical part – bananas foster nearly – that works properly with the rye’s clove and spearmint excessive tones. For a rye at this proof, the palate is surprisingly light. Preliminary notes of Demerara syrup, grated cinnamon, and heat rye bread give approach to pie spice and a tender, peppery heat. Just like the aroma, the rum ending hasn’t actually contributed any distinctive flavors, but it surely has clearly added a deep, brown sugar dimension to the expertise. The end arrives with a flourish of rye spice and lingering notes of darkish vanilla bean. Whereas it’s arduous at instances to seek out the rum affect, you’ll get no complaints from me on the standard of this rye. However for the asking value, you should purchase a complete lotta drinks on Bourbon Road, for you and your folks and doubtless their buddies, too.
102.8 proof.
A- / $500 / kentuckyowlbourbon.com
Kentucky Owl Mardi Gras XO Cask Rye
$500
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