Luca Mariano Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review

Luke Castle -

BOTTLE DETAILS

LUKE'S NOTES

NOSE: Cherries | Apple | Mint | Candy

TASTE: Thin | Mint | Cherries | Green Apple

FINISH: Very short with no follow through

SHARE WITH: Don’t share this one.

WORTH THE PRICE: No. This is a very boring and simple Rye. Sad knowing what the folks who make this up the road are doing with their own barrels.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bust. I enjoy a well-made, younger Rye. This just doesn’t bring any of the spice I love in a great Rye.

OVERALL: Like the Bourbon, this is just not enough proof to get me excited. It’s especially disappointing knowing first-hand what the 4-5 year old Rye from Wilderness Trail (who contract distills this) can be at cask strength. At 110-115 proof (I’ve tried several batches in that range) they fight far outside of their weight class; at 83 proof this just misses everything. I feel like I can taste the water in the bottle which is a first for me. I appreciate their desire to be more moderately priced but if it sacrifices the overall experience it isn’t worth the savings.

BRAND NOTES

LUCA MARIANO RYE

High Rye 4+ Years
Strong spicy nose; big and bold tasting with full body; strong rye flavor accompianed by cinnamon and a variety of other spices; peppery smooth moderately long finish.

Disclaimer: Luca Mariano Distillery provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.