Smoke Wagon Malted Straight Rye Whiskey
Smoke Wagon Malted Straight Rye Whiskey is a cask-strength (around 116–117 proof), 750mL straight rye from Nevada H&C Distilling Co. in Las Vegas — built on an unusual 51% rye / 49% malted barley mash bill that lets the malt shine upfront before the rye kicks in. Bottled without proofing down, it is big, bold, and unapologetically intense: sweet, creamy malt with caramel and cereal notes giving way to cinnamon spice, big black pepper, and a thread of smoke courtesy of the malted barley. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: ~58% (cask strength, batch-dependent — ~116–117 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Mash bill: 51% rye / 49% malted barley (brand-distributed copy)
- Casks: new charred American oak
- Age: no age statement
- Distillery: blended and bottled by Nevada H&C Distilling Co., Las Vegas, NV
Malt Up Front, Rye on the Finish
Founder Aaron Chepenik blends Smoke Wagon's whiskies at a tiny facility near downtown Las Vegas, and the Malted Rye is his ode to the malted barley: it arrives sweet and creamy — caramel, cereal, malt — then the rye's cinnamon and black-pepper spice takes over the finish with a smoky edge. Brand copy calls it "big, bold and unapologetically intense," and at cask strength it earns the description. New charred American oak gives it backbone without masking the barley-rye interplay. Browse more rye whiskey and explore the Smoke Wagon collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet malt, caramel, and cereal (brand copy via retailers).
Palate: Creamy malted barley with caramel and cinnamon spice.
Finish: Big black pepper, rye spice, and a smoky thread — bold and lingering.
How to Enjoy
At cask strength, a splash of water opens the malt beautifully. It builds a fierce Rye Old Fashioned or Sazerac for drinkers who want their rye unapologetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Smoke Wagon Malted Straight Rye?
It is bottled at cask strength, batch-dependent — around 116–117 proof (~58% ABV).
What is the mash bill?
51% rye / 49% malted barley, per brand-distributed copy.
Is it a straight rye?
Yes — straight rye whiskey aged in new charred American oak, with no age statement.
Who makes Smoke Wagon?
Nevada H&C Distilling Co., Las Vegas, Nevada, founded by Aaron Chepenik.
Cask-strength rye with a malted-barley soul — order Smoke Wagon Malted Straight Rye Whiskey online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
