West Fork Whsky Co. Tailored Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey.

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West Fork Whsky Co. Tailored Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey.


    West Fork Whiskey Company has been quietly building one of Indiana’s most respected whiskey programs through in-house distilling, aging, and bottling, and now they’re adding another layer with a brand-new label: Tailored Barrel. This release represents their vision of finding truly unique barrels outside of their core lineup and releasing them in their purest form. When I got the opportunity to attend the release event and pick up one of the very first bottles, saying no wasn’t an option.

    This particular bottling immediately catches your eye with its elegant presentation and refreshingly honest label. Every detail is there, mash bill, age statement, proof, and source. Transparency like this is still scarse in whiskey, and it’s something I’ll always champion when a brand gets it right.

    This bottle is sourced directly from MGP and uses their well-known 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash bill. What makes it exceptional, though, is the age, a full twelve and a half years. That’s serious maturity for a rye whiskey, and at barrel proof no less. 


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/o8Dm20mIuzA.

Age Statement: 12 1/2 years.

ABV: 59.46%. (Single Barrel & Cask Strength).

Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Appearance: Espresso.


On the nose:
    This is one of those noses that stops you mid-sentence. Sweet rye bread, raw honeycomb, and vanilla custard lift off the glass immediately, followed by floral spice and soft tobacco. There’s no harsh alcohol presence at all. Notes of vanilla bean ice cream, butterscotch, charred oak, and warm baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice) keep unfolding with time. The deeper you go, the more compelling it becomes.

Taste:
   Big, oily, and beautifully layered. Wood sugars lead the charge, followed by herbal spice, dark florals, honey, and toasted rye grain. The oak presence is bold but controlled, adding depth instead of dominance. Vanilla creaminess rounds out the spice beautifully, creating a balance you don’t often find in rye at this age. It drinks softer than its proof suggests, landing closer to the low 50s in feel.


Finish:
   Long, warming, and gently peppered. Floral notes linger alongside soft tobacco sweetness and dry rye spice. It leaves you immediately wanting another sip, which is always the mark of a truly great pour.


Final Thoughts: 
    This is exactly what a mature rye whiskey should be. Complex without being cluttered, powerful without being hot, and deeply satisfying from nose to finish. Add in the honest labeling, single-barrel status, and full proof presentation, then consider the price. Twelve-and-a-half-year cask strength rye is almost unheard of in today’s market. It may be sourced, but sourcing done right still deserves applause, and West Fork nailed this barrel selection. If you’ve dismissed Indiana rye in the past, this is the bottle that changes minds.


Rating: A (excellent).

Cost: $99.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/o8Dm20mIuzA.

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

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