Kentucky Owl 10 Year Rye Batch 4

Classification: Straight Rye
Distillery: Sourced (from undisclosed distillery[ies] in Kentucky)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Age: 10
Proof: 112.8

Ah, the last of its kind — and like any tenured professor on their farewell tour, Batch 4 comes in hot, makes its point, and leaves everyone wondering why they didn’t pay more attention in class.

Nose: Starts like a warm gingersnap cookie — charming, disarming — then hits you with a fruit basket from a student trying way too hard: cherry pie, candied oranges, strawberry cobbler, even grenadine. Somewhere in the back, crème brûlée is giving a lecture on caramelization while a faint puff of smoke interrupts politely. It’s complex, balanced, and oddly seductive. I almost gave it extra credit.

Palate: No identity crisis here — this rye knows it’s a rye. Cinnamon, mint, gingerbread, and tarragon come marching in like they own the lecture hall. Then caramel and citrus zest bring a touch of sweetness to keep things from getting too serious. There’s even a pop quiz in the form of Red Hots and peppercorns. A+ for depth.

Finish: Long, assertive, and full of wisdom. Menthol, mint, cinnamon, floral notes, and cherries linger like office hours that just won’t end. Oak and tobacco leaf arrive late, grading everyone’s papers with a dry, aged hand.

Final Grade: An unforgettable final lecture from Kentucky Owl’s rye department. Spicy, bold, and layered — this isn’t just a send-off. It’s a mic drop in a bottle.