American

Whiskey Review: McMenamins Billy Rye Whiskey

We review McMenamins Billy Rye Whiskey, a four year old rye whiskey produced on an old cognac still at a distillery in the Pacific Northwest.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

Rye whiskey aged four years in 53-gallon American oak barrels. Released at 100 proof (50% abv) in 750ml bottles. Available for purchase by the glass at nearly all McMenamins establishments and can be purchased by the bottle at select McMenamins locations for $50.
Appearance:
Yellowish-brown, in a sense that it reminds me of a banana desert that has a lot of caramel topping covering it.
Nose:
Definitely cooked grain. The smell emanating from the glass reminds me of what it’s like to walk through a distillery during operating hours. An inherent oaky-ness is offset by a sweet, rum-like quality that contains quintessential rye spice.
Palate:
Baked apples and rye spice hits quick and upfront, then fades to sweet before circling back spicy on the finish. Mouthfeel is initially viscous before falling a bit thin (in a pleasant way) after a short linger.
Finish:
Comments:
McMenamins is a uniquely Northwest company that has endeared itself to many people far and wide. This whiskey is ideally designed to those who love this brand, but unfortunately I find it falling a little short of the mark for what it could be.

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.

Forrest C. Price

Forrest is deeply involved in various aspects of the whiskey industry. He contributes his writing talents to The Whiskey Wash, shares his expertise through classes on diverse whiskey styles, and serves as the Brand Ambassador of the West Coast & Kentucky for Joseph Magnus Distillery. Prior to these endeavors, Forrest honed his skills as the Whiskey Advisor at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, DC, the largest whiskey bar in the Western Hemisphere. In this role, he expertly guided patrons through an impressive collection of over 2,700 whiskey expressions from around the world and meticulously managed the extensive inventory. Forrest hails from Louisville, KY, the heart of bourbon country.

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