Clark & Chesterfield Rye Whiskey, 53.5%
Nose: Musty, stale biscotti, rye grain, sour apple, old chocolate
Palate: More of that staleness, thin for the proof, a little spiciness, bready, grainy, sour cherry
Finish: Short to medium, slightly sweet
Rating: 37/100 – Bad | Multiple flaws
I don’t enjoy disparaging local craft distilleries because I appreciate what they’re trying to do, but this one was simply bad. It didn’t have any of the flavors I look for in a rye and the flavors that were present were very unappealing. On a positive note, the whiskey was surprisingly tame and didn’t have the harshness often found in younger ryes. Might be worth revisiting when their distillate hits 4 years.
Additional Info: Single barrel, 100% rye mash including rye grown on Old Tavern Farm in New Hampshire.