The Last Call

Smoke Wagon Blender’s Select Straight Rye Whiskey Review.      Smoke Wagon is one of those brands that immediately draws attention, partly because of its striking bottle design with wax seals and etched glass, and partly because of the mystery surrounding its sourcing and blending philosophy. Based out of Nevada, Smoke Wagon has built a reputation around curated blends, often utilizing MGP distillate while being unusually transparent about what goes into the bottle. Unfortunately, distribution is limited, and for me that means a drive to Ohio just to pick one up, but curiosity finally got the better of me.      This release is a blend of two distinct rye mash bills. The first consists of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. The second is one of MGP’s newer recipes, made up of 51% rye and 49% malted barley. These components are blended together and released at a robust proof without clear indication of whether it is true cask strength. The bottle reviewe...

Bulleit 12 Year Straight Rye Whiskey Review.      Bulleit’s 95 Rye 12 Year feels like a quiet surprise in a market that rarely leaves anything this good under the radar for long. Originally released years ago and then seemingly gone for good, it resurfaced in 2024 with little fanfare, almost as if Bulleit simply decided to remind people what well-aged MGP rye can be. With a 12-year age statement, a classic 95/5 mash bill, and a very approachable price point, expectations were already high before the cork was pulled.     As someone who has grown increasingly fond of rye over the past year, this bottle immediately caught my attention. The standard Bulleit Rye is okay overall, but this felt like a chance to see that familiar profile elevated by real age and careful barrel selection. According to  Bulleit they selected specific barrels for this release. For the full video review visit the link here:    https://youtu.be/6gFjqtBPsBc . Age Statement: 1...

Balcones Single Barrel Texas Straight Rye Whiskey.      Balcones has long been one of those distilleries that pulls me back in with every release, and this single barrel hazmat rye was no exception. When this pick from HiProof landed on my doorstep, the excitement was immediate, partly because I trust their picks, and partly because I’m a sucker for Texas whiskey and its bold edge. The moment I saw the deep, blood-red hue in the bottle, I had a feeling this one was going to leave an impression.      This release is a Texas straight rye whiskey aged exclusively in European oak casks. It clocks in at 73.2% ABV, making it one of the highest-proof bottles currently on my shelf. As a straight rye, we know it’s at least two years old, but based on the profile I’d guess it leans somewhere closer to three to four. What sets this apart is that full-term European oak maturation, which should leave a very different imprint than the American oak typically associated wi...

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% ...

 Four Finger Distillery Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey Review.      Craft whiskey is alive and thriving in Indiana, and Four Finger Distillery continues to be a name that defines what small-batch passion can achieve. Based out of Indianapolis, Four Finger handles every step of the process, distilling, aging, and bottling, right in-house. This level of control and transparency is rare, and their latest release, a Bottled in Bond rye whiskey, feels like a proud milestone. Having loved their barrel-proof rye (my top Rye of 2024), I was excited to see how this one held up under the Bottled in Bond standard.           Four Finger Distillery , once known as 1205 Distillery, carries one of the more memorable origin stories. Its name comes from founder and master distiller Brad losing a finger during the construction of the stills, a touch of grit that now defines the brand’s spirit. Visit their tasting room, and you’ll find great cocktails, a frie...

Backbone Bourbon Company Old Dragon Bones Single Barrel Rye Whiskey.           Every so often, a whiskey crosses your path that feels more like a legend than a release. Old Dragon Bones from Backbone Bourbon Company was one of those whispers, a mythical bottle I'd only seen mentioned in passing. Then came Take’s single barrel pick, and I knew I had to have it. This 20-year-old Canadian rye, bottled at a staggering 67.4% ABV, is one of those rare finds that blend power, elegance, and innovation in equal measure. Backbone has long been one of my favorite Indiana-based independents, known for sourcing exceptional barrels and bottling them honestly, high proof, minimal interference, maximum flavor.      Old Dragon Bones is a masterclass in cask finishing. Backbone took a 20-year-old Canadian rye and split it across three barrels. Each rested for over a year before being recombined into neutral oak to marry. Now, before you say  "Canadian whi...

     Penelope 9 Year Tokaji Cask Finished Rye Whiskey Review.      Penelope has built a reputation for innovation, especially through their creative finishing techniques. Their Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Tokaji Casks is a perfect example of that craftsmanship. Coming in at 52% ABV and aged at least nine years, this release blends MGP’s signature 95/5 rye recipe with a Hungarian dessert wine cask finish. As a longtime fan of Penelope’s transparency and flavor-forward approach, I was eager to see how their rye handled this sweet, complex finish.      The Tokaji cask finish instantly caught my attention, it’s not something you see often in rye whiskey. Known for its luscious sweetness, Tokaji wine brings vibrant fruit and honeyed notes that can either elevate or overpower a whiskey. Let’s see how Penelope balances it. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Xt1IWagSys8 . Age Statement: 9 years. ABV:  52%...

       Hard Truth Toasted Mizunara Oak Finished Rye Whiskey Review.      Hard Truth has been making waves in the rye whiskey scene, and tonight I’m diving into something bold and unusual from their lineup: a straight rye whiskey finished with toasted Mizunara oak, bottled at cask strength. Based in southern Indiana, Hard Truth has built a reputation around their sweet mash process, where fermentation tanks are completely cleaned between batches,labor-intensive, but it creates a uniquely clean and vibrant flavor profile.      Mizunara oak itself is special. Harvested only after trees reach at least 200 years of age in Japan, it imparts flavors unlike typical American or European oak. It’s a notoriously expensive wood to use, so most distilleries work with staves instead of full barrels. Seeing Hard Truth experiment with this finish had me eager to see if their craft touch could bring something truly memorable. For the full video review vi...

 Rare Saint Straight Rye Whiskey Review.      Rare Saint is a newer brand on the Indiana whiskey scene, with its operations based in Indianapolis. Early indications suggest they do a lot of sourcing from MGP, which is far from a bad thing, MGP makes some excellent whiskey. That said, there’s a bit of marketing questions here, with the bottle labeled as a “limited release” and “rare spirit.” I picked this one up out of curiosity and a desire to support a local brand, hoping to see how they handle barrel selection.      The labeling suggests a two-barrel blend and an official age statement is nowhere to be found on the bottle. Their website mentions a 5-year age, but without that detail on the packaging, it’s left as an assumption. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/DZdKGnv-FUs Age Statement: 5 years (according to the website). ABV:  57.65%. Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley. Area of Distillation: Indiana. Appea...

 New Holland Brewing Walleye Run Malted Rye Whiskey 7 Year Review.      Last year’s trip to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival gave me the perfect excuse to visit New Holland Brewing’s Brew House, a must-stop for fans of their iconic Dragon’s Milk stout. That’s when I first picked up the Walley Run Malted Rye Whiskey, a newer release at the time. Now, it’s making its way onto shelves here in Indiana, and even available online. This 7-year-old rye, distilled, aged, and bottled entirely by New Holland. Knowing New Holland’s knack for blurring the lines between brewing and distilling, I was eager to revisit this bottle after a year in my cabinet.      Walley Run Malted Rye is crafted in-house on New Holland’s pot stills and bottled at 46% ABV. While they’re well-known for their beer barrel-aged bourbonsm and for aging beer in ex-bourbon casks,  this rye takes a different path, letting the grain and barrel speak for themselves. The malted rye ba...

 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.     T his 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...

 Three Floyds Distilling Demon’s Whip Indiana Rye Whiskey Review.      Three Floyds Distilling, based in Munster, Indiana, has long been a powerhouse in the craft beer world with legendary brews like Zombie Dust and Gumball Head. Over the last several years, they’ve been steadily building their spirits portfolio, distilling, aging, and bottling everything in-house, often experimenting with unique grains like oats and beer malt. Their label art is as wild and unapologetic as their recipes, and when I stopped by in May 2025 to pick up their Dark Lord Straight Malt, something else caught my eye: their first rye whiskey release.      While the distillery offered a 7-year version at the time, I stumbled upon this 4-year bottling on store shelves. At first, I thought I had the 7-year in my hands, only to later learn this was the younger sibling. Adding another twist, the liquid inside was sourced from MGP, nothing wrong with that, as they make fantastic whis...

 Journeyman Distillery Double Oaked Rye Whiskey Review.     J ourneyman Distillery has long been a staple of me when it comes to craft spirits. With roots in Three Oaks, Michigan, and a newer expansion into Valparaiso, Indiana, they have been an easy go to for pours and supporting local. Many of their spirits are grain-to-glass, certified organic and kosher (though curiously not labeled as such here), I look to themfor transparency and character. That’s part of what makes this Double Oaked Rye Whiskey release so intriguing, and perhaps, a bit perplexing.            This bottle marks Journeyman’s first foray into double oaking a rye, and I believe their highest-rye content whiskey to date. It’s a distillery-exclusive release currently and composed of a blend of whiskies ranging from 3.5 to 8.5 years old. However, inconsistent labeling, a baffling mash bill, and lack of clarity on the finishing process leave more questions than answers. Al...

Backbone Bourbon Company Old Bones 20 Year Single Barrel Rye Review.      Every once in a while, a whiskey crosses your path that makes you stop mid-pour just to admire what’s in the glass. Backbone Bourbon Company has been on a roll with their big, unapologetically bold releases, and tonight’s pour, the Old Bones Rye Whiskey Single Barrel, is a true statement piece. Bottled at a jaw-dropping ABV and clocking in at 20 years old, this Indiana-sourced rye proves that Canadian whiskey can still pack a punch when given the right treatment.      This particular barrel was selected by Rich over at Holly’s Package Store in Greentown, Indiana. One of those passionate folks who just knows how to find liquid gold. Backbone’s transparency has always been one of their strong suits. This whiskey originates from a distillery outside Montreal, Canada, where they sourced a rye recipe that leans heavier on corn than the usual rye mash bill, resulting in a more buttery, roun...

 Bhakta 1928 A Blend of Straight Rye, Calvados, & Armagnac Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Bhakta Spirits, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now Bhakta Spirits is somewhat of a newer producer of spirits. Started in 2019 Bhakta was founded by  Raj Bhakta, who was the original founder of Whistlepig. Their 1928 release showcases creativity and skill, blending Rye whiskey with Calvados and Armagnac to create a one-of-a-kind spirit. Baku 1928 is a blend that combines traditions from different regions. It’s made up of 60% Rye whiskey from Indiana, 30% Calvados (an apple or pear brandy aged in Norway), and 10% Armagnac from France. The Armagnac includes vintages from as far back as 1928, with others from 1941, 1962, and 1973, giving the blend an average age of about 15 years.     So more than just "finishing" a spirit in  specific barrels of Calvados and/...

Black Market Spirits 5 Year Black Market Rye Whiskey Review.            I received this spirit as a review sample from Black Market Spirits. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Black Market Spirits is based out of California where they are releasing some fun and unique spirits to the masses. In 2023 I had the pleasure of reviewing their core line up containing a Vodka, Rum, Gin, Fernet, and Rye. That release was a 2 year old and I really enjoyed it. Seeing a new release with more age really had my sites on. This is being sourced from the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky, Green River. And to be honest, everything I've had from Green River has been top notch. Plus, the fact that Black Market Spirits is transparent on this is a huge plus in my books. F or the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/ggPBuQVy5oM Age Statement: 5 years. ABV:  49%. Mashbill:  95% rye...

Penelope Toasted 6 Year Rye Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Penelope Bourbon. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now I've really enjoyed what Penelope has been releasing for the past few years. While they only officially hit here in Indiana around mid 2023, by first experience with them was the Toasted Rye, and I was hooked. Now flash forward and Penelope has access to even more MGP stock since they are under the same roof. In 2023 I really loved the Toasted rye relasesed and that was using a 100% rye. Now here in 2024 they tweaked the mash bill just slightly, changed the char level, and gave it a solid age statement. For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/6EfAIWIARqM Age Statement:  6 Years. ABV:  50%. Mashbill:  95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley. Area of Distillation:  Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Finishing:  Char #2 Barrel....

 Hard Truth Distilling Sweet Mash Chocolate Malt Rye Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from the Hard Truth Distillery,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Hard Truth Distilling is based out of Nashville, Indiana. Their major focus of recent time is releasing rye whiskey sweet mash style vs sour mash. They also had a hand in bringing the classification of Indiana Rye to the State. This release stands out a bit different than Hard Truth's typical Sweet Mash Rye. The RW-3 Chocolate Malt is part of the Master Distillers Reserve and is the second year of this release. While on the surface you might see the word Chocolate Malt and believe this is flavored, but this is actually using Chocolate Malted barley in the mash bill.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Q8Fv8tULcR0 . Age Statement: +2 years old. ABV:   57.4% (Cas...