Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)

Frank August continues to impress with every new release. Their first rye was a tiny batch of Limited Edition, and now they're back with an always available small batch rye and winning equal praise from all who taste it. What I love about Frank's rye is that it isn't trying to be bourbon. So many Kentucky ryes rely on this to appeal to bourbon drinkers, but what they fail to realize is that if they'd make rye for rye drinkers, there would be more bourbon drinkers who consider themselves rye drinkers. Anyway, I like it. Let's have a taste. A sumptuous chestnut color (1.2). The nose opens slowly in the glass and offers beautiful evergreen and deep herbal character. As it unfolds, the sweetness of the oak melds lovingly with the dense peppery rye grain, giving it an almost antique vibe along with hints of nougat, chocolate, dill, pecan brittle, and clove. The palate is beautifully dusty and unabashedly rye driven with a huge core of dried citrus and stone fruit in the middle intermingled with robust savory herbs and tobacco. The medium finish offers soft pepper, dried mint, bitter orange, and smoldering oak. A truly lovely and unapologetic rye that straddles the modern and historic styles extremely lovingly.