How Still Austin Made Its Best Rye Whiskey Yet, Thanks to One Clever Technique

(Photo: Still Austin)

How a small change in proofing created a standout spirit

As part of its Bottled in Bond series, Still Austin Whiskey Co. releases a limited-edition whiskey each series. Spring’s is always a rye — always Texas-grown and always built around bold flavor and spice. But the 2025 release, which went on sale March 14 exclusively at the Austin distillery and select Texas retailers, is truly special and — in our opinion — the most compelling rye whiskey release to date from Still Austin, which is one of America’s absolute best craft distilleries.

What sets this year’s rye apart isn’t its mashbill (100% Texas-grown Brasetto rye), proof (100 as mandated by Bottled in Bond regulations) or its age (a blend of 4- and 5-year-old barrels). It’s what happened in the final year of maturation. For the first time, Still Austin lowered the proof of the whiskey while it was still in the barrel, gradually reducing it to 105 before letting it rest for a full year. That small shift had a significant impact.

According to Still Austin Head Distiller John Schrepel, the slower water integration allowed the spirit to soften in a way that’s hard to replicate through standard post-aging proofing. “This process softened the tannins, resulting in a smoother, richer mouthfeel while enhancing the bright fruit notes on the nose,” he said.

That’s not just distillery marketing talk — it’s very apparent when you taste this whiskey. In fact, when I first tasted this whiskey, before I had heard anything about the proof reduction process, here’s what I wrote in my notes: “The nuance and sweet notes that pair with the spice are really wildly impressive coming from a 100% rye mashbill aged only 4 years.”

After all, rye is a grain that traditionally delivers baking spice notes. The sweeter unfinished rye whiskeys on the market are usually distilled from Kentucky-style mashbills — made with less rye (usually in the 51%-65% range) and with a higher corn content (the sweet grain bourbon is primarily made from). Whiskeys made from 100% rye are typically brash, spicy and herbaceous, which can be a bit one-note, and that’s not the case with this latest release from Still Austin.

Instead, Still Austin 2025 Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is a rye that retains the punch and spice rye fans expect, but with a new layer of finesse—more fruit, more sweetness, and more depth.

A New Benchmark for Texas Rye

Still Austin’s Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey 2025 adheres to the requirements of the Bottled in Bond Act: at least four years old, bottled at 100 proof, produced in one distillation season and aged in a federally bonded warehouse. But even within those constraints, the distillery found room for creativity.

When tasting, I discovered a whiskey that is layered, dark and fruit-forward, with a velvety mouthfeel that feels far more developed than its age might suggest.

Nose: There’s some heat at first, followed by a cascade of rich aromas: Luxardo cherry, blackberry, Fiji apple, cinnamon and clove. A touch of candied ginger and French toast rounds out the profile with sweetness and spice.

Taste: Full-bodied and warm with sweet honey, apple and waffle cone. Cinnamon, ginger and allspice bring the spice, while mild tannin and plum keep it grounded.

Finish: Long and satisfying. The spice builds — black pepper, clove and cinnamon — before easing into custard, cherry and a final wave of blackberry.

The depth of this rye is truly impressive. It’s herbaceous and spicy but also sweet and expressive, with complexity from nose to finish. The change in proofing technique may be subtle on paper, but in the glass, it’s a clear step forward.

Click here to read our full review of this rye whiskey.

Availability

The 2025 Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is available in limited quantities only at Still Austin’s tasting room and select retailers in Texas. It won’t be sold online. Bottles are offered in 750-milliliter format for a suggested price of $79.99.

Still Austin’s other annual season Bottled in Bond releases are Red Corn Bourbon (summer), High Rye Bourbon (fall) and Blue Corn Bourbon (winter).

Final Thoughts

Rye whiskey is often about boldness and spice. This one brings those traits, but also a level of nuance that speaks to the distillery’s evolution. The 2025 Bottled in Bond Straight Rye is the most refined rye Still Austin has released to date — and a compelling argument for the power of subtle process changes and experimentation in whiskey.

I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from the Still Austin team — and if they’re going to continue to use this trick in future releases. What else do they have up their sleeves?