The Beautiful and the Damned The Diplomat Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Review.

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 The Beautiful and the Damned The Diplomat Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Review.



     The Beautiful and the Damned is a newer name out of Illinois, but they’ve already caught my attention with their transparency and eye for barrel selection. Their standard rye release made my top five ryes of 2023, so this cask strength version, named The Diplomat, has some big shoes to fill. With striking artwork and a promise of bold flavors, this bottle sets high expectations before the cork is even pulled.
   
     One huge prop I always give The Beautiful and the Damned is how transparent they are. Below they tell us all the great information for this release, from the mash bill to where they are sourcing. They even disclose that char level 4 for the staves and char level 2 for the heads for the casks. This commitment to detail and transparency is refreshing in today’s market, and it shows they’re carefully curating their selections rather than simply bottling whatever they can find.

    Now, last year their standard rye ended up on my top 5 ryes in 2023 so to say the cask strength offering has big shoes to fill, is an understatement. 


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/n3lmeuH4Kr4

Age Statement: 7 years.

ABV: 57.8%.

Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, IN.

Appearance: Rich amber.


On the nose:
    Right from the start, the nose is a garden of herbs, fresh eucalyptus, mint, and subtle medicinal tones that feel clean and refreshing. A wave of candied fruit emerges, layered with black tea, soft vanilla cream, and just a touch of tobacco. For its proof, it’s shockingly approachable, with no harshness and an elegance that suggests it could easily pass for an eight-year whiskey.


Taste:
    The first sip is instantly coating, rich, and oily. Herbal and medicinal notes carry over, accented by mint and eucalyptus, while a subtle orchard sweetness rounds things out. Peach tea drifts in alongside oak, leather, and a whisper of that dill note so common in MGP rye, but here it’s softened and balanced rather than overwhelming. Vanilla cream lightens the mid-palate, while baking spices, cinnamon and clove, add warmth. The balance of sweetness, oak, and spice makes it both bold and highly drinkable.


Finish:
    Long and satisfying, the finish showcases warming spices like cinnamon and clove, enhancing its robust, rye-forward character. A fleeting hint of MGP’s signature "dill" note appears but stays delicately restrained. Herbal complexity, oak, and lingering sweetness extend gracefully, inviting you back for another sip.


Final Thoughts: 
    The Diplomat Cask Strength Rye is more than worth the price of admission. It’s a shining example of MGP rye done right, bold, herbal, fruity, and deeply satisfying without being overly hot or aggressive. The Beautiful and the Damned has proven once again that their eye for barrels is sharp, and this release earns a solid A in my book. If this is what they’re doing with seven-year stock, I can only imagine how incredible a ten-year release will be. For now, The Diplomat is a rye I’d recommend without hesitation, a beautifully crafted sip that delivers from nose to finish.


Rating: A (Excellent).

Cost: $79.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/n3lmeuH4Kr4

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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