Origins
The definition Cornerstone is “an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.” With Laws Origins Series, it’s easy to see why the Rye Whiskey was chosen as the Cornerstone release.
In 2016, I got a bottle of the Secale Batch 1, and immediately I knew I had something special. I already credited Laws with kicking off my intense interest and love of Colorado Whiskey – even the start of this website – and this first release of their rye cemented that for me. A Cornerstone, perfect to continue to build a name for the distillery and Colorado spirits as a whole.
The Origins Series Cornerstone release is a blend of 9 barrels of whiskey, some 95% Heirloom Rye and 5% heirloom Barley, and the rest 100% Heirloom rye. All grown at 7500 feet of elevation, Laws credits the farm for a lot of the flavors that are imparted upon the final whiskey.
In the Bottle:
Mashbill:
A blend of whiskies:
Mashbill 1: 95% Heirloom Rye, 5% Heirloom Barley
Mashbill 2: 100% Heirloom Rye
Age:
9 Barrels Aged as follows
9-10 Years – 31% Of Final Blend
6-8 Years – 23% Of Final Blend
5+ Years – 46%
Proof:
105 Proof (57.5% ABV)
In the Glass:
Color:
Deep bronze, just enough of a red tint with some brown golden hues. Clear and some slightly oily legs left on the glass.
Without Water:
Nose:
Floral and lite, hints of cinnamon and baked, dried fruit. It’s almost airy it’s so light on the nose, there’s a bit of faint tobacco as well.
Palate:
Lightly sweet, more of the floral notes from the nose carry over onto the very start of the palate. It moves into a lightly spiced mid palate, with complimentary tobacco notes, specifically like pipe-tobacco. Oily and medium/medium full bodied mouthfeel. That floral note hangs all the way through.
Finish:
A decently long finish, lingering for a while with most of the spices from the sip. Notes of cinnamon and white pepper, a little salt, and bits of a tannic barrel note as well.
With Water:
Nose:
It gains an almost earthy note, a lot more dried fruit and cinnamon baked goods. There’s a bit more of the tobacco note on the nose, and touches of vanilla.
Palate:
A little bit sweeter and a little bit more dried fruit, but still floral notes. The mouthfeel is a little bit less oily, a little less full bodied but doesn’t lose too much and really could still easily be described as medium bodied.
Finish:
Lingers still for quite a while but loses a little bit of length. It gains more of a briny quality though, and has plenty of rye grain and barrel tannins. Really makes me think of ocean water spray with the rye whiskey.
Final Thoughts:
This bottle seemingly carries itself, almost like it has a personality and even a purpose of it’s own. It has a certain elegance to it, I can’t think of another way to describe it. There is plenty of spice, but it’s so approachable at the same time. It’s hard to describe it as anything else. The “Cornerstone” Label on the front fits perfectly, this bottle is exactly the style of spirit that would be perfect to build a reputation around.
You can read more about the release from Laws here:
https://lawswhiskeyhouse.com/2023-origins-series-release-cornerstone/#
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