Disclosure: This sample was given to me by Whiskey Thief Distilling Co for review.
Good Times Tawny Port Finish Barrel Strength Single Barrel Rye
Specs
ABV: 56%
Age: 4 Years
Recipe: 95% rye, 5% malted barley. Finished in Tawny Port barrels.
Distiller: MGP
Country/Region: USA/Indiana
Price Paid (MSRP): N/A (~$100)
Tasting Notes
Nose: Clove, rye spice, allspice, mint, vanilla and anise. Some berries come through as well from the port.
Palate: Medium to thick mouthful, sweet and palate coating with all sorts of juicy berry and stone fruit notes. Big pepper and rye spice kick, perhaps a tad hot, followed by mint, vanilla, and a little more anise .
Finish: Medium to long length, a ton of menthol on this one, slight tannins and then more red berries and vanilla sweetness.
Rating: 76/100 – Great | Well above average
Great stuff. The port finish isn’t too pronounced on the nose but comes through nicely on the palate. It adds some stone fruit notes and really thickens up the mouth feel. Unfortunately for me, there’s something about these younger vanilla-forward MGP barrels that doesn’t quite jibe with my tastes. Curiously enough, it’s a trend I’ve been noticing more and more now from newer MGP rye releases so perhaps I’m just in the minority. Still there’s no denying that this is a quality whiskey and I’m very happy to see a port finished rye released at barrel proof for once.