Bourbon Review: Adirondack High Rye Bourbon

Neat, I’m first noticing the heat. It’s fairly powerful all around the mouth and down, coming in hot for 86 proof. Getting some orange, sugar cookie, and oak mingling with the burn, and a touch of bitterness. Not too complex, which is expected given the age. Alcohol dominates the clean and drying finish, which is characteristic of higher levels of rye in my experience. With a couple drops of water this thing really opens up. The sweetness takes center stage and the heat becomes warming. It also kind of reminds me of creme brule. There is a more pleasant finish, but it still evaporates quickly. Going up to 25% water smooths the whole thing out, but flattens the dynamics of the sweetness. Even at this level there’s still a bite, and bitterness seems more pronounced. A couple drops of water gave the best experience. Final Thoughts: For a two-year-old spirit, this is solid. It wasn’t really distinctive, but the intensity of the heat, that orangy cookie blend, and the clean finish got my attention. Like a lot of the newer craft distilleries doing whiskey, more time is going to really bring complexity and sophistication, but at this age, it’s still a nice pour. Closing your eyes and imagining that farmhouse on a crisp fall afternoon while having a sip is highly recommended. Score: 80