Jefferson's Blended Rye Whiskey Review.
Jefferson's Blended Rye Whiskey Review.
Jefferson’s has never exactly wowed me, especially on the bourbon side of things, where the higher price tags often outpace the experience in the glass. But this bottle caught me off guard. I was out browsing in Indiana, saw it on the shelf, walked past it, then turned back. “Jefferson’s Rye? What is this?” A bit of on-the-spot research yielded almost nothing. No press, no buzz—even Jefferson’s own website had no mention of it. That made it even more interesting. It feels like one of those quiet releases just starting to trickle onto shelves. With a price tag of $25 and a 44% ABV, I figured it was a risk worth taking.
This is a blend of straight rye whiskeys sourced from both the U.S. and Canada—70% American, 30% Canadian. The label notes Tennessee, Indiana, and Canada as the distillation sources, which likely means there’s some MGP (Indiana) whiskey in the mix. Jefferson’s has dabbled in rye before, most notably with their Cognac cask-finished expression, but this is their first straightforward rye blend. At this proof and price point, it’s clearly aimed at the budget-conscious drinker.
Age Statement: N/A.
ABV: 44%.
Mash bill: N/A.
Blend: Containing 70% American whiskey, 30% Canadian whiskey.
Area of Distillation: A blend of Tennessee, Indiana, and Canada whiskey.
Appearance: Golden straw.
On the nose:
On the nose:
Right away, it leans into the spice. Clove, cinnamon stick, and a touch of herbal-medicinal sharpness come through. Surprisingly, the Canadian component doesn’t overpower with the usual youthful metallic or grainy tones. There’s a lovely candied character here, Granny Smith apples, caramel, and even a trace of barrel char. A hint of vanilla rounds things out. It’s sweet, orchard-fruity, with just enough rye backbone to keep it interesting. Honestly, the nose is really well done, balanced and inviting.
Taste:
Here’s where things get tricky. The Canadian rye shows up more prominently on the taste, bringing with it a metallic edge that fights against the otherwise solid sweetness and spice. You get some nice candied apple, cinnamon, and clove, with that same caramel and vanilla creaminess echoing from the nose. The texture is decent, though a slightly higher ABV would’ve helped carry those flavors with more presence. As you sip, that metallic bitterness fades in and out, never fully ruining the experience, but always reminding you it's there.
Finish:
There’s a lingering spice and sweetness, but it’s undercut slightly by that youthful Canadian character, think bitter grain and faint metal. The good news? With time, the rougher edges mellow a bit. That herbal, floral, almost minty sweetness from the Indiana rye begins to shine through more clearly. Still, it never quite escapes that distracting Canadian imprint.
Final Thoughts:
Jefferson’s Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys is a respectable pour and a welcome surprise from a brand that often leaves me indifferent. The blend is 90–95% of the way to being something special. If they had left out the Canadian component, or at least tamed it more, this might’ve been a standout in the budget friendly space. As it is, it’s a slightly-average budget rye that offers a great nose and a decent palate, just watch for that metallic bite.
Rating: C+ (slightly above average).
Cost: $25.99 for 750ml.
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