2012 Rye Whiskey Barrel Smoking Wood

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by Japancakes, Oct 6, 2012.

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  1. Japancakes

    Japancakes Devotee (315) Jan 1, 2010 California

    I was lucky enough to nab some of this already, and holy crap, the difference between last year is astounding. In their some of their words, an employee said they got "more efficient at brewing the beer". Whatever that means, I don't know, but what's obvious is the +3% ABV and more importantly, taste! The beer was stellar. If I hadn't known, I could've probably been tricked into thinking that it was bourbon barrel-aged instead of rye whiskey. 3rdto1st and my other buddy both agreed.

    I know a lot of people were underwhelmed with rye whiskey, especially in comparison with bourbon barrel-aged because it proposed such a big tasting gap. I can definitely say that the 2012 batch is not in the same category. If you're RS and aren't considering it, you probably should. Unlimited allocations, yeah, but, find out as soon as you can when it's out.

    Was anybody else really underwhelmed by rye last year or has semi-low expectations for it this year?
     
  2. IKR

    IKR Maven (1,490) May 25, 2010 California
    Trader

    I wasn't sure if I preferred the Bourbon version to last year's Rye version so I was all over this year's. I thought the Bourbon version was hotter than last year's Rye so I'm eager to see what the extra 3% does.
     
  3. barfdiggs

    barfdiggs Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2011 California

    Didn't know it was a new batch, thought it was left over. Might have to grab one now.
     
  4. vacax

    vacax Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2008 California

    Are you saying it is 16% ABV now? That was not mentioned in any of the emails from RS.
     
  5. IKR

    IKR Maven (1,490) May 25, 2010 California
    Trader

    Last years Rye Smoking Wood was labeled at 10%. This year's is 13%.
     
  6. vacax

    vacax Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2008 California

    Just looked at my bottles... I never noticed the Rye was 10% last year but Bourbon was 13%
     
  7. pmarlowe

    pmarlowe Pooh-Bah (2,005) Nov 27, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah

    Yes, rye was underwhelming last year, especially relative to fresh bba version.
     
  8. tyrsis

    tyrsis Savant (1,074) Mar 13, 2009 California
    Trader

    Wasn't a fan. Too much smoke for my tastes.
     
    DJButters and Beerandraiderfan like this.
  9. jerz

    jerz Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2008 California

    I thought last year's rye version was much better than the bourbon version, but to each their own. I didn't pick up any this year, because for the cost I'd rather drink something else.
     
    usofar likes this.
  10. ryno09

    ryno09 Pundit (835) May 1, 2010 California

    Just ordered some bottles of the new batch. I liked smoked beers so I'm looking forward to drinking a better batch of it.
     
  11. Japancakes

    Japancakes Devotee (315) Jan 1, 2010 California

    For me, the bourbon version was 2x better, so, this year is much more to my liking than before. In my circles, I heard a lot of the same sentiment but it's interesting to see people here who preferred rye whiskey last year.
     
    pmarlowe likes this.
  12. Levitation

    Levitation Initiate (0) Aug 7, 2009 California

    i, too, preferred the rye whiskey version, but i haven't tried either of this year's versions.

    i loved you in memento, by the way.
     
  13. 3rdto1st

    3rdto1st Initiate (0) Dec 1, 2011 California

    Hahaha, you should see him with glasses and less prepped up, looks a ton like Johnny Depp
     
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