Wollersheim Round Top Rye Review
There’s a plethora of two-year-old Ryes hitting the market, with some commanding amazingly high price tags. As this market gets more crowded, distillers must distinguish themselves from the competition.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Wollersheim Distillery
- MASH BILL: Sweet Mash of 75% rye and 25% malted barley
- AGE: 2 Years
- YEAR: 2018
- PROOF: 90 (45% ABV)
- MSRP: $39.99
- BUY ONLINE: It is currently only available from the distillery in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin. This summer, it will be available around Wisconsin in Illinois.
JEFF'S NOTES
NOSE: Floral Rye | Chocolate | Orange Peel | Oak
TASTE: Rye Spice | Candied Fruit | Sweet Vanilla | Toasted Oak
FINISH: There is a definite cocoa finish that’s a product of the malted barley. This is proofed well, the flavors are easy to pick up, but there’s no real burn. Saying that, will leave your palate tingling after several sips.
SHARE WITH: This is perfect for two groups of fans: Those that enjoy younger ryes and those who are interested in sipping something not sourced from MGP, Barton or Heaven Hill.
WORTH THE PRICE: Wollersheim is not looking to charge a premium or even the average $49.99 that many craft whiskeys seem to gravitate to. That makes the price attractive on its own so long as the whiskey inside is of both good quality and taste. I believe Wollersheim meets the criteria on both counts.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: This is a younger whiskey with a lot going on, and it is priced below the market average. Currently, you’re not going to find it at a bar, but this summer that will probably change. Regardless, grab a bottle and enjoy this lovely Wisconsin Rye.
OVERALL: There’s a plethora of two-year-old Ryes hitting the market, with some commanding amazingly high price tags. As this market gets more crowded, distillers must distinguish themselves from the competition.
Being a local, I was excited when Wollersheim, who has run a successful winery for several years, opened its distillery and announced it would create whiskeys. I’ve been curiously waiting ever since for something to be released, with my fingers crossed that they’d distill and age something of at least decent quality, as they’ve done a great job creating wines.
Round Top Rye has an amazingly creamy mouthfeel and is very smooth despite its young age. If you’re expecting this to be rough, you’ll find yourself disappointed.
There are a few great things about Round Top Rye. Distiller Tom Lenerz does not source his whiskey. He’s also put forth a lot of care and in choosing everything, from the locally-grown rye and corn to various cooperages and barrel options.
BRAND NOTES
DISTILLER’S NOTES
ROUND TOP RYE WHISKEY
A classic, full-bodied American Rye Whiskey, balancing the spice of the rye with the sweetness of American oak.
Production Method: Single distilled from a “Sweet mash” of over 65% rye, with the remainder being corn and malted barley.
Age: 2 years in charred, new American oak barrels
Alcohol: 45% alcohol by volume (90 proof)
Serving: Perfect for sipping, or to use in classic whiskey cocktails.
Story: With the completion of our distillery expansion in August of 2015, we were able to expand our production capabilities beyond brandy. Working directly with local farmers for our rye and corn we began to mill, cook mash, ferment and distill our first whiskeys. One of our first recipes to be distilled was Round Top Rye. Like its namesake bluff the grains used to make this whiskey are grown within a few minutes from the Stillhouse.
Disclaimer: Wollersheim 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.