Dark Arts Whiskey House Amburana Maple Finished Rye Whiskey Review.
Dark Arts Whiskey House Amburana Maple Finished Rye Whiskey Review.
There’s something undeniably exciting about cracking open a new bottle from Dark Arts Whiskey House. Based out of Kentucky, they’ve carved out a loyal following in the craft space by sourcing solid whiskey, often from MGP, and giving it bold, thoughtful finishing treatments. Tonight’s pour is their “Ripple Rye,” a straight rye finished in maple syrup casks and with toasted amburana staves. It’s been getting plenty of love online, and as someone who’s gone on a personal rampage buying nearly every release I can find, I’m eager to dive into this one. Dark Arts tends to walk the line between bold and refined, and when amburana’s involved, that line can get blurry fast. Let’s see if Ripple Rye can strike the balance.
This is a 95/5 Indiana rye (MGP, of course), aged for at least 7 years before undergoing a dual-finishing process. First, it’s placed into maple syrup casks, and then it’s treated with toasted amburana staves, a South American hardwood known for imparting intense cinnamon, sugar, and aromatic spice notes. That combination alone promises a rich, dessert-leaning pour, but what makes Ripple Rye intriguing is how they’ve tempered the finishing to avoid overwhelming the base spirit.
Age Statement: 7 years.
ABV: 55.19% (Barrel Proof).
Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley.
Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Appearance: Dark Amber.
On the nose:
On the nose:
The first thing that hits is that bold Indiana rye profile, herbal, minty, and medicinal, with a dense undercurrent of maple sweetness. There’s this warm, buttery vanilla icing note, like the kind you find on yellow sheet cake, layered with subtle floral and spice tones. The amburana makes its presence known but doesn’t dominate, showing up as soft cinnamon sugar rather than the aggressive red-hot or candle wax note it can sometimes bring. Overall, it’s inviting, nuanced, and surprisingly balanced for such a high-proof pour.
Taste:
This is where things really get interesting. You’re immediately hit with that herbal rye backbone, earthy and assertive, before it melts into waves of spicy caramel, sticky maple, and warm baking spice. The amburana cinnamon and clove slide in gracefully, adding complexity without tipping into overload. There’s a richness here, an oily viscosity that coats the palate fully and gives the whiskey a chewy, satisfying mouthfeel. Notes of oak char, vanilla cream, and even a hint of cranberry or mulled wine emerge as it opens up. The sweet spot of that 7-year age really shines, balancing youthful energy with deeper oak-driven character.
Finish:
Long, warm, and velvety. The rye spice lingers with a touch of floral lift, while the maple syrup and amburana bring a sticky-sweet fade full of cinnamon, clove, and light cocoa. There’s even a nostalgic simmer pot vibe, like walking into a kitchen filled with simmering orange peel, star anise, and winter spice. It clings beautifully to the palate, never getting too tannic or overcooked.
Final Thoughts:
Dark Arts Ripple Rye is a bold and well-executed experiment in finishing. It flirts with overindulgence but never quite tips over the edge, thanks to thoughtful blending and smart restraint. This could have easily become a sugar bomb or an amburana overload, but instead, it finds a compelling middle ground—rich, spicy, and just a little decadent. It delivers a unique drinking experience that fans of both maple and amburana finishes will appreciate. It doesn’t necessarily dethrone the brand’s core releases, but it sits comfortably beside them, maybe even a notch above depending on your palate.
Rating: -A (amazing).
Cost: $84.99 for 750ml.
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