Tim Smith Southern Reserve Rye Whiskey
Tim Smith Southern Reserve Rye Whiskey is a 90-proof (45% ABV) American rye whiskey from Tim Smith — the third-generation moonshiner turned star of Discovery Channel's Moonshiners. Bottled at 750mL, it pours golden amber with notes of spicy toasted American oak, sweet rye and caramel, finishing warm and long. Buy it online from Del Mesa Liquor and put a legend's rye on your shelf.
- ABV: 45% (90 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Origin: United States
- Style: Rye whiskey with spicy toasted oak, sweet rye and caramel
- Producer: Tim Smith Spirits — Tim Smith of Discovery Channel's Moonshiners
From Climax, Virginia moonshine to legit rye whiskey
Tim Smith spent his life distilling in the hills of Climax, Virginia — doing it, as the official Tim Smith Spirits site puts it, "even when forced to do it on the wrong side of the law" — before going legit and bringing his family's recipes to a wider audience. The Southern Reserve line is his sipping-whiskey range: the same rebellious, backwoods character, refined for the glass. This rye is built for rye lovers — bold spice up front, sweet caramel and honey underneath, and a long, warming finish. Browse the full Tim Smith lineup or explore more rye whiskey in our whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: spicy rye, vanilla and caramel. Palate: full-bodied — bold rye spice layered with sweet caramel, honey and toasted oak. Finish: long, warm and lingering, with lingering spice.
How to Enjoy
Neat or on a single large cube is the purist's pour, but this rye earns its keep in cocktails: a Manhattan or Old Fashioned lets the spice cut through the sweetness, and a whiskey highball keeps it bright and sessionable. At 90 proof it holds its own against vermouth and bitters without overpowering them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Tim Smith Southern Reserve Rye Whiskey?
It is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), per the official Tim Smith Spirits lineup.
Who is Tim Smith?
Tim Smith is a third-generation moonshiner from Climax, Virginia, who became a star of Discovery Channel's Moonshiners and later launched his own legal spirits brands, including the Southern Reserve whiskey line.
Is Tim Smith's rye whiskey good for cocktails?
Yes — the bold rye spice and 90-proof backbone make it a strong base for Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Sazeracs.
Grab a bottle of Tim Smith Southern Reserve Rye Whiskey online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — the Moonshiner's rye, delivered.