RYEVIEUX: Rye & Son’s Rye
Before we get started, you need to listen in on this Podcast Episode from Filmwhiskey. It features an enjoyable almost an hour or so of conversation with Andre Mack discussing his new Rye whiskey label Rye & Sons.
Since this is a short and not a feature, I’ll be getting straight to the point. First the official gobbledygook- “Rye & Sons is an easy-drinking and exciting straight rye whiskey from celebrated sommelier, winemaker, and restaurateur André Hueston Mack. Crafted within the tradition of America's original whiskey while infused with a healthy dose of whimsy, this remarkable rye is perfect for casual occasions with friends and can easily serve as a go-to bottle behind the bar. Rye & Sons' rare combination of delicious taste and accessible price make it a great all-around whiskey—it's comfortable wherever you put it, straight or in cocktails.”
I generally don’t like it when marketers cast the wide net, with the typical “it’s good neat or in cocktails.” I mean in this case, it’s definitively not a lie, and I get why they do it, but still, it irks nonetheless.
Mardi Gras is a busy time for drinking. Rye & Sons fit the bill.
This is a delightful new release from a human being that is clearly passionate about Rye whiskey and dammit we need more of them in this world. This is not a “pay the bills bottle until the Bourbon is ready” type of thing, this is purely a joyful celebration of Rye, for Rye fans, and all without the fleecing part. This is a sub-$30 bottle. Yeah, you read that right. I paid $28 plus tax for mine. I’ve spent that amount at the movies, alone, which is why I don’t go to the movies anymore but that’s another story.
This will be pitched as a “Bourbon Lovers Rye” and you all know by now how I feel about that term, if not, here’s a link - “It’s long overdue to stop catering to the incurious Bourbon drinker with “Bourbon drinkers Rye” descriptors.” Marketing word-salads aside, this Rye is in fact accessible. While it has complexity, it’s not enigmatic. It satisfies me the Rye acolyte without offending the Rye curious. It does have something to offer for everyone which is claimed by many, and is rarely delivered by any. Rye and Sons delivers.
Before Mardi Gras. Note how full it was.
The Nose-
It’s got some light eucalyptus on the nose, with some honey/vanilla notes that follow. You can tell who was involved in this, because the nose is always a focus not an afterthought. Sean would call this herbaceous and I love the term so I’ll echo it here.
The Palate-
This is a tasty little monster. Light licorice (the “light” is a theme throughout), little ginger snap, and some accentuating spices. Nothing dominates on the palate, everything sits rightly in their place, peacefully coexisting, giving each segment their time center stage. One can be forgiven for calling this delicious, because it simply is delicious.
The Finish-
This isn’t a finish that goes on for days, but it ends right when it means to, not a moment too soon. After swallowing, that first inhalation of air brings out that candied ginger, and a very interesting wave of vanilla. A very light maple note appears just at the end that serves as permission to take another sip.
Conclusion-
Frankly, this kicks ass and I make no apologies for saying so. This isn’t a young whiskey, it’s craft ascendant. Rye & Sons delivers precisely on its promise- A Rye whiskey for a good price that should be a staple in every bar on earth. This is the type of Rye that you will be inclined to revisit often, and you will have the benefit of looking like a barroom hero when sharing it with friends. I predict that this release will become a bartenders favorite, an insiders choice if you will, and will end up being used in an awful lot of programs.
Tip of the cap to Sean and Andre, they’ve done something special here, and as a drinker, I appreciate the pricing being as approachable as this delicious Rye is.
- Mickey Pinstripe