Wyoming Whiskey recently released the fifth expression of its signature Outryder Straight American Whiskey.
Outryder was first released in October of 2016, representing Wyoming Whiskey’s first use of rye, along with corn and malted barley.
Those who follow the whiskey brand will know the story of how Outryder first came to be, starting with Wyoming Whiskey’s founding distiller Steve Nally (Bourbon Hall of Famer and former Maker’s Mark Master Distiller).
At the request of Co-Founder David DeFazio during the early resurgence of rye whiskey, Nally produced a high-rye whiskey that did not meet the legal 51% requirement to be called a rye. Years later, as the spirit aged, it was discovered to contain only 48% rye.
As a result, Wyoming Whiskey was left with no choice but to develop a straight American whiskey. Popularity is said to have followed the next two iterations of Outryder, in 2016 and 2017, as Wyoming Whiskey came to terms with the finite amount of 2011 whiskey stock used to create the initial batches.
In order to carry on the legacy of this whiskey, the distillery began to marry its 10-year-old “almost rye” whiskies (48% rye, 40% corn, 12% malt) and bourbon (68% corn, 20% rye, 12% malt), with two whiskies distilled in early 2017 that are considered a “true rye” (51% rye, 37% corn, 12% malt) and bourbon (68% corn, 20% rye, 12% malt).
Because of the use of whiskeys from two different distilling seasons, Wyoming Whiskey doesn’t attach the bottled-in-bond designation. Yet, it’s still bottled at 100 proof and it is 100% Wyoming made.
The resulting Straight American Whiskey, according to Master Blender Nancy Fraley, features notes of cherry, honeyed hay, and molasses in flavor for this year’s offering.
Trending Stories
“Outryder continues to be the most revered whiskey we offer, and one that I’m proud to have fought for,” Defazio said in a prepared statement. “And the exchange between me and Steve continues to be one of the most meaningful and entertaining stories of the brand. His defiance resulted in something truly magnificent and unique that we never would have intentionally created by design.”
Fraley continues to fine-tune the Outryder expression through barrel selection and its specific blending process. She gave this iteration of Outryder excellent marks, going so far as to say that it’s her favorite Wyoming Whiskey product and her personal “everyday sipper.”
A total of 11,520 bottles of Outryder will be available for purchase throughout the U.S. at the suggested retail price of $74.99, starting this month. Official tasting notes can be found below.
- COLOR: Copper to mahogany.
- NOSE: This season’s Outryder features pumpernickel bread with melted butter, honey aromas of beeswax candles with orange blossom pollen, and warm cherry cobbler.
- PALATE: The initial entry is of hot chocolate, yeast biscuits drizzled with dark molasses, honeyed hay, and roasted cumin in brown butter.
- MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity with lots of caramelized wood sugars together with gentle rye spiciness.
- FINISH: Long and warming, with lingering flavors of maple syrup over French toast.
Latest News