Very Olde St. Nick Cask Strength Harvest Rye Whiskey
Cask strength (~114–119 proof, varies by lot) | 750mL | Uncut, unfiltered straight rye whiskey — Very Olde St. Nick Cask Strength Harvest Rye is the fall edition of the cult seasonal rye series: barrels allowed to rest "an additional long, hot summer" in the Bardstown warehouse before dumping, drawn from the brand's vintage stocks — said to be at least five summers old — and bottled uncut, unfiltered, at cask strength in tiny 1–3 barrel batches. Like all VOSN ryes, the proof varies by batch (114–119 reported), so no two bottlings are identical. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
The extra summer shows: sweet and spicy on the nose with cinnamon, baking spices, barrel char and brown sugar; a palate of dominant rye spice over a silky texture with candy sweetness, vanilla, and dried fruit; and a long finish of white pepper, oak and faint cinnamon (NapaCabs). Among cask-strength ryes, the Harvest release is the richer sibling of Summer Rye — same cult label, one extra season of Kentucky heat in the wood. Neat, or with a splash of water.
Tasting notes
Nose: cinnamon, baking spices, barrel char, light smoke, brown sugar, rye grass, caramel (NapaCabs, SendGifts). Palate: bold rye spice, silky texture, candy sweetness, vanilla, raisins, prunes, dark chocolate. Finish: long; white pepper, oak, faint cinnamon.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- Cask strength, ~114–119 proof (varies by lot) — 750mL; uncut and unfiltered
- Fall "Harvest" edition — barrels rested through one extra long, hot Kentucky summer
- Drawn from vintage Bardstown warehouse stocks; 1–3 barrel batches
- Cult 1980s Japanese-export label; bottled at Preservation Distillery, Bardstown
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat in a Glencairn; a splash of water brings out dried cranberry, lemon zest and pecan notes. Sipping whiskey, full stop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the proof of Harvest Rye?
It varies by lot — retailers report 114 to 121.5 proof. Always bottled at cask strength, uncut and unfiltered.
How is Harvest Rye different from Summer Rye?
Timing and selection: Harvest Rye is the fall release, with barrels rested through one additional long, hot summer; Summer Rye is dumped before the peak summer heat. Proofs overlap — neither is categorically stronger.
Is there an age statement?
No formal age statement; brand copy says the stocks are at least five summers old.
Where is it bottled?
At Preservation Distillery + Farm in Bardstown, Kentucky, from the brand's sourced old stocks.