Rare Character Hurst Knoll 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey
50.5% ABV (101 proof) | 750mL | Minimum 7 years old | Sourced high-rye Kentucky straight rye | Bottled in Lexington, Kentucky — Rare Character Hurst Knoll 7 Year Old is a carefully crafted union of Kentucky straight rye barrels — a blended rye, not a single-barrel pick — aged a minimum of seven years and bottled in Lexington, Kentucky. It is the first widely available release from Rare Character, the non-distilling producer co-founded in 2021 by veteran bartender Pablo Moix with Peter Nevenglosky (Andy Shapira of the Heaven Hill family joined in 2022). The name joins "hurst" (a wooded rise) and "knoll" (a rounded peak) — the rugged hillsides where rye naturally thrives. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
This rye was engineered for cocktails from the ground up: Moix tested multiple proof points and settled on 101 as "the floor of what worked in drinks" — enough age and proof to stand up in Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Vieux Carrés and highballs, yet easy to drink neat. Among rye whiskies built by bartenders for bartenders, few arrive with a minimum 7-year age statement at a sub-$60 shelf price. SRP $59.99.
Tasting notes
Nose: warm rye spice, toasted oak, caramelized sugar; vanilla bean, dried herbs, orange zest, a hint of rye bread. Palate: caramel, honeyed grain and vanilla up front; cracked black pepper and cinnamon bark; toasted oak, dried herbs, orange peel. Finish: long and warm — baking spice, dark wood, lingering caramel; rye bread, black pepper, citrus pith.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 101 proof (50.5% ABV) — proof chosen specifically for cocktails
- Minimum 7 years old — sourced high-rye Kentucky straight rye barrels
- A crafted blend, not a single barrel — consistent bottle to bottle
- From Rare Character, the blending house of co-founder Pablo Moix (launched late 2025)
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Built for a Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Vieux Carré — but drinks neat too. At 101 proof a large cube softens the spice without drowning it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hurst Knoll a single barrel?
No — it's a union of multiple Kentucky straight rye barrels, blended for consistency.
Who founded Rare Character?
Veteran bartender Pablo Moix co-founded Rare Character in 2021 with Peter Nevenglosky; it's a non-distilling producer known for its single-barrel Brook Hill line and blends like Old Cassidy bourbon.
What does "Hurst Knoll" mean?
"Hurst" (a wooded rise) plus "knoll" (a rounded peak) — the rugged hillsides where rye grain naturally thrives.
Where is it distilled?
Distilled and aged in Kentucky; the sourcing distillery is not publicly named.