This fairly well requested release from Wild Turkey that finally came to fruition this year. A blend of straight ryes between 4 and 8 years old, non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof, this release checks almost all the boxes a Wild Turkey Rye fan could have. I know it does for me. I'm taking a day off from the Van Winkle vs Antique Collection shootout because I needed one more day to line up a fairly heavy hitting side by side, so I felt like this would perform well in its stead. I'm certain I'll hear no complaints. I'm thankful I could try this, and I'm stoked to get going, so let's get to it.
All told, it’s a fairly straightforward offering, but the best news is that Rare Breed Rye is surprisingly affordable given its pedigree. As with the bourbon, it’s a solid pick for when you’re looking for something slightly more elevated — but not billfold-busting.
I'll plan to snag a bottle and see if that becomes a non issue in the future, but this is good rye, at a damn good price, and god willing, it'll be on every shelf like Rare Breed Bourbon by years end.
As a believer in Wild Turkey’s rye expressions, I still reckon the company has room to improve. (...) It’s just more proof. That will be fine for some, but for others it might just feel like more of the same.
Mint, cinnamon, pepper, concord grape jelly, peanuts, and black tea swirl on the palate, which is full and robust thanks to the absence of chill-filtration.
A smoothly executed dram that screams rye without being dill-heavy and keeps me coming back for more. This Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye is a fantastic new addition to the WT lineup and can proudly sit side-by-side with the always fantastic Rare Breed Bourbon.
However, neat or on ice, it doesn't really matter as the Rare Breed Rye just comes off harsh. Because of the harshness, I don't really equate it with the "super premium" label. Maybe the next batch will be different, and if so, I hope it will restore my faith in the Rare Breed expression.
Combined with being barrel strength and non-chill filtered (which seems to make a very noticeable impact on the mouthfeel of Wild Turkey products) this is a total winner of a whiskey. There will always be a spot on The Bourbon Finder shelves for Rare Breed Rye.
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House Review
Nose:
Sweet and buttery. Candy corn, toffee, nice clove and rye spice. Brown sugar, copper, sourdough bread.
Taste:
Medium to thick mouth feel. Some heat, quite a bit of heat. Toffee, crisp rye spice, fragrant and floral. Brown sugar, sourdough bread, pepper and bite. There’s a lot going on here, but the heat is a bit aggressive. Nice spice component though with the floral and fruits.
Finish:
Long, rich and hot. Powerful clove and rye, fruity melon and apple. A bit hot once again.
Overall:
I quite like this, but it fell a hair short of my hopes for this. While good, it’s a bit too hot for the proof in every stage of the dram, and I think I’d find myself gravitating to RRSiB Rye instead the majority of the time. That said, I hope Campari doesn’t see this as a negative endeavor, and they continue to expand the WT portfolio with things the fan base is clamoring for. I'm going to be generous here, because I love love love everything other than a bit heavy handed ethanol. I'll plan to snag a bottle and see if that becomes a non issue in the future, but this is good rye, at a damn good price, and god willing, it'll be on every shelf like Rare Breed Bourbon by years end.
Score:
88
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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