American

Whiskey Review: Barber's Single Malt Rye Whiskey

We review Barber's Single Malt Rye Whiskey, a 100% malted rye produced by a Sonoma County winemaker.

OVERALL RATING

10
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Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Light amber; a polished cabin floor of shiny maple wood.
Nose:
It’s interesting that this rye has its provenance in wine, because it’s got kind of a vineyard smell. I imagine this is what crush season smells like. Also, there’s sweetness there: maple sugar, candy corn. On top of that: McIntosh apples.
Palate:
Paradoxically, this doesn’t taste to me like a typical rye, even though it’s 100% rye. Or maybe it’s redefining how I think of rye, which is cool, too. This is sweet, but not like an intentionally sweet food. It reminds me of fried plantains, but it doesn’t have any kind of oily mouthfeel – more like that balanced freshness. Light vanilla. This rye finishes well-rounded and soft, like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a wonderful meal. Final thoughts Honestly? I will be hoarding this. I want only the most special people in my life to give it a try. If this is only the Barbers’ first attempt, I’m so excited to see what they do next. This makes me want to get in my car to drive down to Petaluma and sample the Barber wines—and then have a designated driver take me the rest of the way. More, please! Score
Finish:
Comments:

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Carin Moonin

Carin Moonin swapped a 5th-floor walkup in Hoboken, NJ, for a house in SE Portland a decade ago and hasn't looked back. She appreciates Portland's vibrant whiskey scene, finding it complements both the weather and her mood. Carin enjoys exploring the diverse world of brown liquor and its many facets. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Salon.com, DailyDot.com, Willamette Week, Portland Monthly, and others. When she's not indulging in whiskey or writing about it, you can find Carin running, reading, or on the hunt for free samples in grocery stores.

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