Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser 100 Proof Rye

Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser Rye is distilled from 100% rye and bottled in bond. This rye differs from its cousin, Roundstone Rye, in that is is distilled at a lower proof, allowing for lots of earthy goodness from the grain to come through in the spirit. The whiskey is aged for 4 years, making it among the oldest craft whiskey in the US presently, and twice the legal age requirement for "straight rye whiskey."

It pours a deep mahogany and has an incredibly enticing nose full of cherries and toasted marshmallows. There is nothing but rye in the bottle, so you've got plenty of spice, with notes of pepper and ash, but also a hell of a lot of caramel, like from the center of your favorite candy bar. There's some stone fruit in there, maybe some figs and something nutty, like cashews. A layer of heat underscores all of it so you realize you're drinking a relatively high-proof rye.