Very Olde St. Nick 8 Year Old 86.8 Proof Ancient Cask Rye Whiskey (750ml) (Previously $160)

The wild VOSN has a long history of bottling some impressive whiskies. They were right there at the beginning of the modern bourbon crazy with the likes of the Van Winkles, AH Hirsch and many more bottling high end old bourbons and ryes and sending the majority of the stock to the strong collectors market in Japan. It's only recently that the brand has resurfaced state side and while the prices are often astronomical, we occasionally get access to deals and product like this. A solid 50% off the msrp. This not your smack you around spice or herb bomb you might expect from a KY or MGP sourced bourbon. Instead, this exhibits an elegance and subtle roundness that should entice even the most novice of whisky lovers. Let's taste it. A very light easy going nose that really needs air to tease out the flavors. With that time it offers a soft biscuit-y character with hints of pepper, miniscule molecules orange oil and light brown sugar. On the palate it very soft and confectionary with lots of cake frosting and a fleeting glimpse of hearty rye/pumpernickel spice. This really loves air and continues to open in the glass. For those after a big bruising rye, look elsewhere, if instead you're wanting refinement and subtle-y, this is a great rye to get you off the ground.

This is a top notch Rye that has a little something for everyone. On the nose, there's dusty wood, herbs (dill, sage), vanilla nougat, and brittle toffee. More time in the glass exposed to the air releases more spice and dessert flavors: clove, allspice, sticky raisins and brown sugar in melted butter become oatmeal raisin cookies. The palate adds to what's on the nose quite nicely with stewed apples, caramel sauce, and earthy herbal vibes. The palate certainly has bolder spice than the nose lets on, but the whiskey never seems hot or aggressive. Towards the finish, this Rye moves toward a cooling spice and a smooth vanilla ending.

Very Olde St. Nick is full of surprises. You never know what goodies he has with him. The color of this 8 year rye is burnished gold. The nose is a mix of sweet vanilla, wood laden air in a hot rick house, freshly baked cupcake, and a sprinkle of fresh mint and dill. The palate is cool and expansive. It rolls over the tongue and probes the cracks and crevices of your taste buds with prickly rye spice that makes you double check the proof. It drinks much bigger than its modest 86.8. At full price it tipped the scales at $160. In a blind qualitative assessment against its price point peers it would be hard to argue with those prices in todays whiskey market. But at HALF OFF!? It's impossible to argue. Now falling under the gold standard of $10/year of age, it's sure to delight even the most jaded whiskey drinkers. Top points to the folks behind the brand in Bardstown for making this one time deal a reality.