A little background

Coppersea Distilling is located in New Paltz, New York and distills a number of offerings including Excelsior Straight Rye Whiskey which is considered an “Empire Rye.” The company exclusively uses Hudson Valley Rye and Barley to create its 80% rye 20% malted barley mashbill. The distillery uses open top fermenters to add to the local terroir of their spirits. They also twice distill the product in True Fire Copper, direct-fired simple alembic stills and have a barrel entry proof of 105. Excelsior Straight Rye Whiskey is 96 proof, small batch, aged a minimum of 2 years, and has an MSRP in the $45 to $50 range.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Golden

Nose

The nose is very sweet with notes of vanilla and caramel. There are also grain notes and wood notes such as cedar present. Notes of hay and cherry as present in the background.

Palate

The palate follows the nose with notes of grain, wood, and hay but also brings forward some rye spice that was missing on the nose. Cherry and baking spices are present in the background.

Finish

The finish is short to medium in length with cinnamon and cedar coming forward. The grain and mash notes continue on from the nose and palate.

In closing

Excelsior Now York Straight Rye Whiskey is a unique whiskey from New York using local grains and a local mashbill. For me, the whiskey still needs more time to age in the barrels to balance out the grain and mash notes that show the whiskey’s youthfulness. I could see this going well in a cocktail that needed some added sweetness. I look forward to seeing how the product continues to develop.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Coppersea Distilling. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.