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The Obscure Distillery Launches Rye Matured In “Functionally Extinct” Wood

In an exclusive partnership with The American Chestnut Foundation, The Obscure Distillery - makers of “unusual and experimental spirits” - has announced the release of Rites of Fall, an American chestnut-matured rye whiskey. 
  • Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash and a graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme. With over half a decade of industry experience, she is passionate about writing stories that highlight innovation, diversity, and sustainability across the global whisky landscape.
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Credit: The Obscure Distillery
In an exclusive partnership with The American Chestnut Foundation, The Obscure Distillery – makers of “unusual and experimental spirits” – has announced the release of Rites of Fall, an American chestnut-matured rye whiskey. 

The Obscure Distillery Rites of Fall is bottled at 47% ABV and retails for $150 via the distillery’s website and at Lee’s Discount Liquors in Nevada. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle purchased will benefit The American Chestnut Foundation’s restoration efforts. 

The American Chestnut 

The American Chestnut was once a domineering presence in American forests. However, in the early 20th century, the population was decimated by a fungal blight. As a result, very few American chestnut sprouts survive to become fully mature.

The American Chestnut Foundation works to revive the American chestnut, which was historically a valuable food source for wildlife and a prized timber. In addition, the foundation’s work also creates opportunities to sequester carbon and help to mitigate climate change. 

“We are thrilled to partner with The Obscure Distillery in our collective efforts to restore this iconic tree,” said Will Pitt, President & CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation. “Funds raised through the generosity of The Obscure Distillery will increase awareness and directly support our research to bring back a disease-resistant and genetically diverse population of American chestnut. It’s a testament to good taste buds and American chestnut nostalgia that the whiskey is being introduced by the distillery.” 

The Obscure Distillery

In 2022, LA-based The Obscure Distillery joined efforts to revive the American chestnut. By maturing exclusively on the functionally extinct wood, the distillery “preserve[s] both the unique flavors of the American chestnuts and the tree itself.” 

In order to maintain the integrity of the precious resource, the distillery takes a different approach to traditional coopering. According to a brand press release, Obscure’s approach “brings forth the essence of the tree without sacrificing it. A base of Ohio rye meets fallen limbwood from the carefully groomed orchards to produce a whiskey seasoned with American chestnut.” 

The resulting Rites of Fall Whiskey is rich with notes of apricot, candied orange peel, nuts, rye spice, and dried fig. 

Beth Squires

Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash with over half a decade of industry experience. She possesses comprehensive knowledge of the global whisky landscape, spanning everything from heritage and production to complex market analysis. A graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme, which champions women in whisky, Beth is a dedicated advocate for diversity and sustainability, focused on highlighting the innovation and storytelling that define the modern whisky industry.

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