Two James Catcher’s Rye is a straight rye whiskey distilled, aged and bottled at Two James Spirits in Detroit. Made from Michigan rye sourced from Wing Farms in Ann Arbor and a family-connected farm in Ludington, it is distilled on a 500-gallon Vendome copper pot still. Aged for at least two years in 53-gallon barrels with char #4 sides and toasted ends from Independent Stave Company, it is bottled at 98.8 proof and retails for around $60.
I think it will make a good mixer, but has a long way to go before it’s ready to drink neat. Hopefully we get a shot at this juice again in 4, 6 or 8 years. Time heals the youthfulness of many whiskies. My wish is for time to intervene here!
To be frank, the taste was a bit off, and that is putting it lightly. It was disappointing considering the nose was lovely and the company itself seems positive and purposeful. However, it is not an all out no-go, it just needs some curbing. I would not drink this straight, but I can say it is good with an artisanal vermouth in a Manhattan.
Softer initially, the mid-palate pops sharply with notes of cardamom and cinnamon. The rye mellows and finishes with burnt vanilla sugar and dark chocolate.
