DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

King's Family Ryeconic Twice Barreled Rye
(King’s Family Distillery, TN)  Aged at least 8 Years.  105° prf

Nose: Toffee, milk chocolate, mocha, molasses, nougat, vanilla, honey, prune, plum, dark cherry, apricot, honeysuckle, honey mustard, buttered popcorn, buttered toast, nuts, clove, winter spice.
Palate: Toffee, milk chocolate, cocoa, Heath bar, sugar cane, honey, cherry, plum, ginger, dill, honey mustard, classic rye, wheat, nutty, clove, spices, pepper, fire.
Finish: Toffee, buttery, dark raisins, cinnamon, spicy, lingering spices, oaky, wine, sherry, cognac, layered, rich, creamy, soft, delicate, lovely.

Double Gold Medal

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
(Hard Truth Distilling Co., IN)  Barrel Strength .  125° prf

Nose: Caramel, buttery, brown sugar, maple, vanilla, honey, frosting, cupcakes, rye flour, walnut, almond, roasted nuts, spice, toasty, leather, bacon, oaky, wood.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, brown sugar, prune, dried fruit, ripe banana, plum, cherry, blackberry, orange, citrus, black tea, grain, nutty, coffee, cinnamon, pepper, black pepper, mushroom, leather, oak, amazing.
Finish: Caramel, molasses, honey, orange, mint, black tea, cinnamon, spicy, toast, oak, wood, complex, nice, smooth, creamy, rich.

Double Gold Medal

Sugar House Distillery Rye Whiskey
(UT)  Aged min. 2 years.  105° prf

Nose: Nougat, spicy vanilla, honey, dried fruit, dried banana, dark raisin, apricot, clove, baking spices, peppery, toasty, smoky, sweet oak, light sherry.
Palate: Cocoa, vanilla, light brown sugar, honey, dark raisin, green apple, citrus, ginger, wheat, roasted nuts, cinnamon, spices, black pepper, pine wood, oak, grainy mouthfeel, really good.
Finish: Cocoa, cream, buttery, honey, burnt honey, citrus, grain, toasty, nutmeg, cinnamon, spicy, oak, soft, smooth, drink neat.

Double Gold Medal

Hillrock Double Cask Rye Whiskey
(Hillrock Estate Distillery, NY)  Aged 9.45 years.  122.3° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, cocoa, cooked honey, candied apple, cherry, plum, strawberry, green apple, barley, nutty, cigar box, oak, redwood, wood, red wine, concentrated, generous, amazing.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, apricot, cherry, currant, grape, green apple, mint, nuts, cinnamon, spicy, black pepper, Cavendish tobacco, leather, toasty, oak, toasted oak, wood, amaro, wine, complex, flavorful.
Finish: Caramel, buttery, banana, orange peel, orange, herbal, Douglas fir, clove, spices, pepper, black pepper, pipe tobacco, toasty, complex, assertive, zesty, rich, creamy, a sipping rye, very tasty.

Double Gold Medal

Jefferson's Rye
Blend of Rye Whiskeys
(Jefferson’s Bourbon Co., KY)  88° prf

Nose: Dark chocolate, cocoa, buttery, vanilla, honey, ripe banana, plantain, wheat, cinnamon, new oak wood, barrel char.
Palate: Milk chocolate, cocoa, molasses, a vanilla ride, cherry, banana, green apple, ginger, grain, wheat, roasted nuts, nutty, sweet nuttiness, nutmeg, black pepper, spicy, brandy, sherry, oaky, wow.
Finish: Milk chocolate, cocoa, apricot, citrus, herbs, grain, rye, toasted, wood, wine, perfect aged, soft, smooth, zesty.

Double Gold Medal

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
(Hard Truth Distilling Co., IN)  Aged 6 years.  111.9° prf

Nose: Toffee, dark chocolate, cooked cocoa, molasses, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, mango, topical fruits, green apple, cherry, sweet nuttiness, spice, char, oak.
Palate: Hint of burnt caramel, molasses, vanilla, ripe banana, mango, sweet cherry, green apple Jolly Rancher, mint, flour, wheat, rye, walnut, roasted nuts, cinnamon, black pepper, spices, smoky, oaky, round mouthfeel, creamy.
Finish: Caramel, cocoa, molasses, smooth honey, orange, green apple, grain, spice, pepper, black pepper, toasty, smokey, tinge of pepper, the heat works with the flavor profile, smooth.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Uncle Nearest Rye Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  121° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, butter, nougat, honey, maple wine, Bananas Foster, apricot, banana, cherry, black cherry, dark plum, almond, walnut, nutty, earthy, smoky, oak.
Palate: Dark chocolate, cocoa, honey, apricot, cherry, plum, stone fruit, ginger, Graham cracker, wheat, grains, toast, nutty, cinnamon, spicy, pepper, black pepper, oak, rich, wonderful.
Finish: Honey, brown sugar, prune, Graham cracker, spicy, oak, toasted oak, complex, layered, nice balance, mild, soft, smooth, rich, creamy.

Gold Medal

Revelton Simple Majority Rye Whiskey
(Revelton Distilling Co., IA)  100° prf.

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, nougat, cotton candy, pancake syrup, honey, dried cherry, apricot, orange peel, cola, Castelvetrano olives, jalapeño, spices, leather, barnyard, wood, subtle oak.
Palate: Chocolate, cocoa, nougat, pancake syrup, honey, ripe banana, grilled ripe pineapple, burnt orange, orange, apricot, apple, green apple, ginger, nutty, spices, pepper, sweet wood.
Finish: Cocoa, molasses, honey, nuttiness, spice, peppers, peppery, black pepper, oak, layered, crisp, fiery, zesty, interesting, high score.

Gold Medal

Balcones Texas Rye Bottled in Bond
Straight Rye Whiskey
(Balcones Distilling, TX)  Aged at least 4 years.  100° prf

Nose: Cocoa, honey, dried fruit, tropical fruit, coconut, lemon, Cheerios, Wheaties, rye, cereal box, hay, black tea, leather, oak, woody.
Palate: Dark chocolate, honey, honey bread, panettone, candied fruit, pâte de fruits, jam, lemon zest. apple, herbal, grass, wet grain, allspice, spicy, black pepper, peat, oak, creamy, pleasant.
Finish: Dark chocolate, chocolate powder, jam, coconut, citrus, rye, peat smoke, oak, soft, easy drinking, so mellow.

Gold Medal

Nashtucky Whiskey Co. Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
(Nashville Barrel Co., TN)  Aged 6 years.  115.44° prf.

Nose: Toffee, caramel, buttery, vanilla, ripe banana, apricot, orange, fresh grapes, walnut, hazelnut, nutty, wheat, cinnamon, leather, oak.
Palate: Caramel, chocolatey, mocha, honey, ripe banana, apricot, orange, herbaceous, dill, grain, nutty, coffee, nutmeg, black pepper, leather, oak, smooth.
Finish: Sweet toffee, caramel, honey, sweet orange, wheat, grain, toasty, cinnamon, pepper, spicy, nice burn, heat, balanced, zesty.

Gold Medal

Hudson Whiskey NY Back Room Deal Straight Rye Whiskey
(Tuthilltown Spirits, NY)  Finished in peated Scotch barrels.  92° prf

Nose: Chocolate covered caramel, cocoa, molasses, sweet honey, apricot, ginger, sweet walnuts, nutty, coffee grains, leather, heavy peat, burnt wood, wood, wood shavings, oak.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, cocoa, Baker’s cocoa powder, molasses, burnt sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, aged honey, orange, hard apple cider, herbaceous, rye flour, nuttiness, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, leather, toasty, burnt toast, peat, bark, cigar box, oak.
Finish: Lingering cocoa, Baker’s chocolate, buttery, vanilla, prune, rose petals, mint, black licorice, grain, nutty, cinnamon, spices, toasty, peat, char, black barrel, oak, scotch, layered, soft, smooth, brut, rich.

Gold Medal

Bespoken “The Epic” Saga II Straight Rye Whiskey
(Bespoken Spirits, KY)  112° prf

Nose: Toffee, dark chocolate, cocoa, honey, dark stone fruit, dried fruit, red bitters, coffee, toast, celery salt, cinnamon, black pepper, stunning.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, cocoa, molasses, honeycomb, prune, dark raisins, orange, lemon, bell pepper, vegetal, celery salt, nutty, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, pepper, sour mash, oak, subtle but persistent heat, complex.
Finish: Caramel, chocolate, honey, prune, mint, spice, grainy, toasty, smoked meat, lots of distinct flavors, heat, soft burn, smooth, elegant, perfect.

Gold Medal

Uncle Nearest Rye Single Barrel Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN) 122° prf

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, caramel, vanilla, honey, dried fruit, pineapple, fruit cup, raisin bran cereal, herbs, grassy, earthy, suede, cowhide, toasted bread, oak.
Palate: Caramel, molasses, vanilla, clover honey, dark raisins, cherry, maraschino cherry, apricot, citrus, corn, walnut, toast, cinnamon, black pepper, leather, peat, oak, wood with bite, deep flavor.
Finish: Dark raisin, butter, apricot, green apple, mint, pepper, black pepper, cigar box, oak, assertive, zesty, zingy, soft, mild, serve straight, lovely.

Gold Medal

Leatherwood Check Point Rye Whiskey
(Leatherwood Distillery, TN)  Aged 3 years.  80° prf

Nose: Toffee, caramel, rich cocoa, vanilla, deep cooked honey, candied apple, dates, prunes, plum juice, green apple, herbal, mild nuttiness, spicy, oak, woody, char.
Palate: Vanilla, brown sugar, honey, prune, dried fruit, dark stone fruit, peach, apricot, pear, fruit forward, candied dill, herbs, slight nuttiness, peppery, spicy, amaro, hearty, buttery, rich.
Finish: Very peach, herbaceous, nutty, cinnamon, sweet spice, toasted oak, soft, smooth, rich, creamy.

Gold Medal

King's Family Straight Rye Whiskey
(King’s Family Distillery, TN)  Aged 9 years.  126.8° prf

Nose: Caramel, molasses, prune, dark raisins, cherry, herbal, mint, grassy, walnut, hazelnut, roasted nuts, clove, leather, musty, barn, mild oak, rich.
Palate: Caramel, buttery, burnt sugar, molasses, honey, prune, apricot, blackberry, green apple, sour apple, citrus, herbs, wheat, nutty, clove, cinnamon, pepper, fresh, bright, delicious.
Finish: Dark fruit, herbs, grain, toasty, cinnamon, pepper, rich, zesty.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL AWARDS

Hudson Whiskey NY Rye Whiskey Calvados Cask Finish
(Tuthilltown Spirits, NY)  Aged min. 7 years.  92° prf

Nose: Dark chocolate, cocoa, mild vanilla, honey, dried fruit, dried cherry, plum, grassy, menthol, walnut, roasted nuts, cinnamon, clove, baking spice, earthy, dusty, oak, new oak.
Palate: Cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, mild vanilla, honey, dried cherry, orange rind, green apple, dill, black olives, roasted nuts, nutty, spices, black pepper, oak.
Finish: Dark chocolate, cocoa, molasses, mint, peppers, spicy, grain, toasty, charred crusty bread, burnt wood, oak, sherry, balanced.

Silver Medal

Hudson Whiskey NY Do The Rye Thing Straight Rye Whiskey
(Tuthilltown Spirits, NY)  Aged min. 3 years.  92° prf

Nose: Honey, candied walnuts, dried fruit, plum, flower petal, herbal, dill, dill brine, pickle juice, walnut, nutmeg, cinnamon, earthy, smoky, oak, mahogany, woody.
Palate: Burnt caramel, buttery, cocoa, dark sugar, candied, ripe banana, green apple, herbal, dill pickle, wheat crackers, flour, walnuts, nut meat, nut shell, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, oak, very woody.
Finish: Nougat, coffee, roasted nuts, burnt toast, earthy, oak, birch, wood, soft, smooth, delicate, classic rye profile.

Silver Medal

Uncle Nearest Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
(Nearest Green Distillery, TN)  100° prf

Nose: Caramel, buttery, molasses, honey, fruit cake, dried fruit, green apple, almond, nutty, grainy, bourbon cask.
Palate: Cocoa, molasses, brown sugar, honey, raisin, apple, green apple, lime, green herbs, mint, walnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, spice, peppery, black pepper, oaky, peaty, lowland scotch, fresh.
Finish: Burned honey, raisins, dark stone fruit, apple, grilled vegetables, zucchini, herbal, mossy, grainy, spicy, some pepper, musty, soft, smooth.

Silver Medal

Resignation Straight Rye Whiskey
(New Basin Distilling, OR)  90° prf

Nose: Caramel, cocoa, nougat, marzipan, ripe banana, rhubarb, root beer, honey, honey Graham cracker, hint of green walnut, toast, cinnamon, leathery.
Palate: Caramel, nougat, sugar cane, brown sugar, honey, dried fruit, ripe banana, apricot, fruit cake, Graham crackers, almond, nut shell, cinnamon, sweet and spicy, peppery, black pepper, earthy, random wood, oak.
Finish: Toffee, grain, mint, sweet spice, earthy, peaty, wood, well-balanced, assertive, brut, soft, delicate.

Silver Medal