A second Laws Whiskey Review, this time the first batch of their Secale Straight Rye Whiskey. A little bit more than the regular bourbon, and also a lot smaller release. Probably won’t be able to find the Batch #1 anymore, but it is definitely a great whiskey.
Starting off, the nose of this bourbon hits you hard with the rye, like you are standing in a bakery that only makes rye bread. There are a couple undertones of the oak from the aging, and a little bit of cereal grain. Very inviting on the nose, and after smelling for a second I was super excited to take the first sip.
On the palate, this didn’t start off too strong, a little sweetness that quickly explodes into a lot of rye spice and a little bit of cinnamon. There are undertones of some vanilla and dark berries. The rye spice is around for the whole palate, giving a big backbone to this whiskey. It is never not noticeable, but it doesn’t take over either. Really making this a nice, balanced whiskey. The finish is smooth and kind of quick, but doesn’t leave you wishing there was more. It is very satisfying, some of the oak notes coming through, and bringing back that touch of sweetness, even a little citrus fruit.
After a couple sips, I added an ice cube and let it melt just a little. The huge spice mellows out a bit after that, really opening up the sweet, vanilla undertones. The finish is a little quicker with the water, but still a good and satisfying finish. The wood age becomes a little more prevalent, and with the rye downplayed a bit, the complexities and multiple flavors are easier to pick out.
Ratings:
Angie:96/100
Zach:90/100
Overall: 93/100. It is complex, but superbly balanced, making it so enjoyable. If you can still find the first batch, I definitely recommend picking it up. The single barrel is even better, but we will get into that in another review.
