Distillery 291 Rye 11 Months – USA

49,9% || That Boutique-y Whisky Company

An independently bottled 11-month-old rye made by Colorado’s Distillery 291 and bottled by That Boutique-y Rye Company. Distillery 291’s spirits benefit from the uniquely Coloradan proprietary process the brand employs, called the El Paso County Process, which takes the stillage of IPA beer and adds it to the mash. The whisky may be bold and innovative, but the label is more demure and ominous (save for that charming little Aspen tree on the left). Accompanying the 1920’s theme are gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz, American artist Man Ray and the looming spectre of Michael Myers – and we don’t mean the funny one.

Batch 1 is a release of 496 bottles.

‘That Boutique-y Whisky Company’ bottles single malts, single grains and bourbons from a variety of renowned distilleries as well as producing award-winning blended malts and blends. These whiskies are adorned with cultish graphic novel-style labels.

Nose: Maple syrup, vanilla custard and salted popcorn combine with dried fruits, orange peel and fiery flickers of cinnamon and clove spice.

Palate: There’s sweet liquorice, dried apricots and spiced apple chutney among fresh vanilla pod, drying winter spice and more maple syrup on pancakes.

Finish: Through a lingering rye spice note, there’s sponge cake and honey.

Overall: Top quality stuff from Distillery 291.