Whiskey Reviews: Crater Lake Spirits

There is a gentle heat that greets the palate. The whiskey has a smooth, almost buttery texture. My taste buds caught the leather and oak that my nose captured along with a hint of vanilla. As the heat settled in, I noticed a bit of a spice flavor from cinnamon that accompanied the heat on the way down. The was an echo of citrus in the after taste. Final Thoughts: Overall, I was left with a sense that this rye was crafted by someone who enjoys rye and that they are not just trying to cash in on the uptick in American rye drinkers. I found this to be a nicely balanced rye crafted for my style of palate, avoiding sweetness, and focusing on earthy flavors. Score: 4/5 Tasting Notes: Crater Lake Reserve Rye Whiskey Vital Stats: limited edition; aged three years in new, charred American oak; 96 proof. Nose: Oak and brown sugar come to the front first. Surprisingly, I also caught a bit of a briny note, similar to pickle juice as I persisted in my wafting. It was not unpleasant, just unexpected. Following that were a bit of citrus and a floral after thought on the nose. Palate: Worn leather, cinnamon, and a prickly heat were the first flavors to pop out at me. After that, there was a bit of orange peel and a buttery, oaky note. Finally, a malty/yeasty flavor hit with the aftertaste. I liken it to a slightly charred pizza crust fresh from a stone oven. It did not dominate but was strong enough to me to paint the picture of a well-crafted flat bread. Final Thoughts: Even though this was the Reserve label, I found their signature Rye a bit more to my liking. Score: 3.5/5 Tasting Notes: Crater Lake Rock and Rye Vital Stats: this 60-proof cocktail in a bottle is constructed with rye whiskey and introduces dark cherry, blood orange and bitters. Nose: The first scent to hit me as I took this in was orange Kool-Aid (we’re gonna get letters). Following the nostalgic blast to my nostrils were the scents of mandarin oranges, clove and the syrup from fruit cocktail. Palate: This is meant to be a crowd pleaser. It is smooth, bright, and easy to drink and has many of the characteristics of a watered down Old Fashioned. There is cinnamon, mandarin, clove and allspice. This drink tastes like a friendly gathering in fall. The heat that hits on the back end has a slight medicinal quality. Final Thoughts: Although this would not be my go-to drink, if it were offered to me with a group of friends I would have no problem partaking alongside my mates. Score: 3.5/5