Premier Drams Rye (Jack Rose) Review
Background
Since I wrote about the launch of the Premier Drams line two weeks ago, all that’s happened is that A CRAP TON of Premier Drams bottles have hit the market. Seelbach’s launched picks, local DMV store S&W liquors posted a counterful of them. You’d be hard pressed right now to find a DMV store that isn’t carrying them.
One place that’s still notably quiet about them… Jack Rose! I am, ironically, reviewing their rye pick from the delicious Cinder BBQ in DC. So in the interim if you’re local to the area and curious to try this, a PSA that it’s currently on the bar there. Now, it does seem that the current flooding of the market on these has killed absolutely any secondary market. As such, my initial advice to anyone looking for these is to shop around, and not panic that they are going to wildly sell out from under you. They are by no means cheap, so shop around, don’t bite on some inflated store cost, and hopefully soon we’ll get a formal Jack Rose tasting!
Premier Drams Single Barrel Rye: Jack Rose (#20400) (7 Years, 101 Proof)
Nose: Peach iced tea, compared to the Allview pick it POPs. Juicy, fruity... the tea note is backgrounded a bit. There, but definitely more integrated into this other, overripe orchard fruit note.
Palate: Peaches for sure, the palate delivers on the promise of the nose. It's JUICY, and syrupy. Maple syrup, and hints of a minty herbaceousness.
Finish: A primarily herbal note closes us out. Muddled mint and a light sugary citrus. Like a lemonhead candy. The lingering hints of sweetness draw you into wanting another sip.
Excellent (8/10)
Overall: I found myself just letting this luxuriate on my palate. The texture is so lovely it’s hard not to just bask it in, and the proof is infinitely approachable, yet it's PACKED with flavor. I commonly bemoan the misbegotten concept of more proof = more flavor in many reviews, and this is yet another perfect example. I’m really digging how these barrels are maturing so far, presumably off of Willett’s standard 110 entry proof for rye, so they seemingly spent the seven years cooking low and slow!
