J.T. Meleck High Proof Whiskey Review.
I received this spirit as a review sample from JT Meleck, linked here. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.
J.T. Meleck is doing something genuinely special in the American craft whiskey space, and it starts long before the whiskey ever touches a barrel. Based in Louisiana, J.T. Meleck farms over 20 acres of rice fields, a crop deeply rooted in the region’s culture and history. Instead of simply selling that rice, they decided to ask a much bigger question. What happens if you turn it into whiskey?
This bottle represents the full commitment to that idea. J.T. Meleck grows, harvests, distills, ages, and bottles everything on site, using 100 percent rice and aging the whiskey in new charred American oak. Rice whiskey is something most of us associate with Japan, not the United States, which makes this release immediately intriguing. This particular bottle is their high proof expression, bottled at 59% ABV, which is a bit of a jump from their standard small batch version at 48% ABV.
J.T. Meleck’s approach is about as hands-on as craft whiskey gets. The rice used for this whiskey is grown on their own land, harvested by the distillery, and then distilled by them. After distillation, the spirit is aged in new charred American oak barrels and left to rest for four or more years before bottling. The distillery also produces rice vodka, single barrel selections, and even older age-stated releases, including a six-year expression. The amount of transparency they are bringing to the table is a breath of fresh air in the craft spirits industry.
Age Statement: 4 years.
ABV: 59%.
Mash bill: 100% rice.
Area of Distillation: Branch, Louisiana.
Appearance: Deep mahogany with a golden sheen.
On the nose:
The first nosing moment is genuinely unexpected. Milk chocolate leads the way, reminiscent of a simple Hershey bar or a Tootsie Roll. As it opens up, an orchard-like sweetness emerges, settling into a remarkably distinct cherry Tootsie Pop note. It is soft, playful, and completely unique.
Despite the 59% ABV, there is no harshness or ethanol presence. Toffee, brown sugar, and gentle caramel notes come through from the new oak, balanced by a light touch of barrel char. A subtle spice appears as well, offering sweet cinnamon stick and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, creating rye-like impressions without any rye in the mash bill. The nose is oily, expressive, and endlessly inviting.
Taste:
The mouthfeel is where the rice truly makes its presence known. The whiskey coats the palate beautifully, delivering a rich, waxy texture that feels almost barley-like without actually being so. Butterscotch, caramel, and vanilla roll in alongside that same cherry chocolate sweetness found on the nose.
The spice builds gently, driven by wood sugars and sweet cinnamon rather than heat. It drinks far below its stated proof, closer to 50 percent ABV, making it dangerously approachable. There is a comforting, almost nostalgic quality here, evoking the feel of well-aged antique furniture, polished by time and use, rather than raw wood.
Finish:
The finish introduces a light peppery note that fades gracefully into milk chocolate sweetness and that now-familiar cherry Tootsie Pop character. The texture lingers long after the sip, leaving behind warmth, sweetness, and a sense of depth that far exceeds the age statement.
Final Thoughts:
At around sixty dollars, this bottle offers something truly rare. A high proof, fully grain-to-glass American rice whiskey that delivers complexity, texture, and personality without compromise. J.T. Meleck’s dedication to craft, from farming their own rice to bottling their own whiskey, shows clearly in every sip.
This is not just a good whiskey. It is an experience pour, the kind of bottle you bring to a share knowing it will stop people in their tracks. With older age statements, this profile has the potential to become something truly special.
Rating: A (Excellent).
Cost: $59.99 for 750ml.
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