Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Wyoming Whiskey. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
It would appear that the Outryder is coming back into the pack. Wyoming Whiskey’s Outryder American Straight Whiskey, that is. Outryder is seeing some changes with their 2021 release, but I’ll get to those later a bit later.
Wyoming Whiskey was founded in 2006 by three lawyers; David Defazio, Brad Mead, and Kate Mead. In 2018 Edrignton bought a minority stake in the company and took over sales and marketing. A look through their website establishes the unique environment that Wyoming provides for whiskey production. There is an excellent background to the distillery on Breakthru Beverage Group’s website.
Outryder was originally released in 2016 from a distillation run in 2011. It was received well and got quite the positive review on The Whiskey Wash. Because of this popularity it would seem they had to make some changes in production. As many whiskey producers have done when facing a shortage of older stock, they began blending in a younger distillate.
According to the press release, the 2021 bottling has shifted from a low rye American whiskey, to blending four different distillates. The current bottling is using two 10-year-old whiskeys, one with a mash bill of 48% rye, 40% corn, and 12% malt; and the other made of 68% corn, 20% rye, and 12% malt. The other two components were distilled in 2017, the first made of 51% rye, 37% corn, and 12% malt; and the second made of 68% corn, 20% rye, and 12% malt. The other important change noted in that press release was the dropping of the bottled-in-bond designation.
Having not had a chance to try the original Outryder, I can only go off of what was provided. And I found this to be a rather light style of American Straight Whiskey. Looking back at the past review of the original Outryder on The Whiskey Wash it makes me worry this may be a similar change as Nikka’s Pure Malt dropping their 12 year age statement. That is, it is still enjoyable, but lost some of what made the original known.
Tasting Notes: Wyoming Whiskey Outryder (2021)
Vital Stats: 50% ABV. Made from a mash bill of rye, corn, and barley. Blend of distillates from 2011 and 2017. $76.99 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance: This is golden yellow in color and has medium legs that are a little slow to form but pretty quick to fall.
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Nose: The initial scent of this made me think of Kraft Baking Caramels. Sitting with it a bit more I get ethanol and green apple that is softened by notes of grain.
Palate: A very easy drinker. Light caramel and honey sweetness accompanied by some cinnamon on the front end. Had a touch of dry oak, and a bit of black pepper spice throughout. I found this to be straightforward with a finish that is much lighter than expected for something at 50%. The addition of water upped the sweetness and spice on this in a way that I didn’t quite enjoy. I suggest drinking it neat.
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