Last Feather Rye is made from 60% organic rye and 40% organic wheat, blended to profile for each batch. Distilled by Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, it is bottled at 45% ABV.
Some rye whiskeys can be heavy handed and powerful. Last Feather Rye pays homage to mentor Koval with the finesse of this spirit. Its lightness makes this a likely aperitif, or alongside holiday hors d’oeuvres. For my part, Last Feather Rye made a perfect mate for a breakfast of sourdough toast, poached egg and avocado.
Think fresh-roasted peanuts nestled in ground coffee and cocoa, finishing long with nutmeg, allspice and fleeting hints of dried cherry and lemon peel.
Dry and a bit earthy on the palate, which has texture without heaviness; mint, walnuts, dark fruit, cola, root beer, and black pepper create a savory-sweet effect, leading into the well-paced finish.
There is a lot of vanilla and as such is quite sweet on the palate, surely from the new and smaller barrels which lends more to a bourbon-drinker. Finishes with light baking spices and fresh honey.
The caramel sweetness continues throughout the tasting experience. There is a light creamy mouthfeel with all most all of the action occurring at mid-mouth and further back even slightly down the throat.
Journeyman Distillery Last Feather Rye is a whiskey with a fair amount of complexity as the flavors evolve as they move down your palate. This is a bottle that I would be happy to have on my bar as I was impressed with this pour. This is an enjoyable rye that I believe bourbon drinkers will enjoy as well because it maintains a lot of bourbon characteristics.
