Agave Spirits+ Journey

In my recent post, “Brief Reflections on Exploring Whiskies: The Road So Far,” I made mention of a cadre of whiskies of all types that I refer to as “Milestone Whiskies,” that is, whiskies that have fundamentally changed my perspective of (and taught me) the depth and breadth of what whisky can be. This is no small feat for a devoted agave spirits acolyte like myself.

This is the third in a series of brief posts highlighting some of these “Milestone Whiskies” reflecting on why and how they’ve changed my perspective on the vast and diverse world/s of whiskies.

Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey, my first rye whisky, is produced by Limestone Branch Distillery and is aged for four years, two years longer than its first incarnation, in newly charred American White Oak barrels before being finished in cream sherry casks. It is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), non-chill filtered, and made from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley.

This rye’s cream sherry cask finishing tames down, without overpowering, some of the “rye spice” typically associated with rye whiskies, adding in notes of ripe red, orchard, and dried fruits, baking spices akin to those in fruit pastries, and light caramel alongside the herbal, black pepper, & dried spice notes usually found in ryes.

After years away from all spirits, I started exploring whiskies through American single malts and scotch before starting into bourbons. I wasn’t sure about whether I’d add in ryes because, just from what I read about them, I didn’t know if I’d like them or not and buying bottles of stuff you don’t know about is always a bit nerve-wracking. But, after hearing good things about Limestone Branch Distillery, I decided to take a shot at this bottle, which is only $39.99 in Virginia, and I’m glad that I did – it is delicious and the two different sets of flavors from the rye and the cream sherry cask marry well together. It opened the door for me to ryes and I’m slowly exploring other, non-cask-finished ryes including classics like Wild Turkey 101 Rye and Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Rye.

It’s a new world of whiskies for me.

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Milestone Whiskies Series #2: 1792 Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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Milestone Whiskies Series #1: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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1792 Bourbon Agave Spirits American Single Malts American Whisky ArteNOM Añejo Tequila Blanco Tequila Blended Whisky Bourbon Whisky Bruichladdich Buffalo Trace Cocktails Código 1530 (Codigo 1530) Dulce Vida E.H. Taylor Elijah Craig El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila Four Roses Gin Glassware Glenlivet Irish Whisky Limestone Branch Distillery Liqueurs Lost Lore Maker's Mark Mezcal Mijenta Mt. Defiance Distillery Patrón Penelope Reposado Tequila Reviews Rye Whisky Scotch Whisky Siempre Single Malt Whisky Spirits Tequila Tequila Ocho Tequila Partida Virginia Virginia Distillery Company Whisky