A little background

The owner of Fort Hamilton, Alex Clark, hails from England but found his home in Brooklyn, New York. From there he began working in the bar industry and learning the distilling tradecraft all while learning and growing to love American history; specifically the Revolutionary War. From the very start of Fort Hamilton Distillery, Alex has tried to pay homage to the history of not only America but that of the distilled spirit. During the time of the Revolutionary War, it was rye not corn that was utilized to make some of America’s favorite libations. This is why Fort Hamilton distills from rye grain, malted barley, yeast, and water in a traditional New York style.

Manufacturer: Fort Hamilton Distillery
Mashbill: 90% New York Rye / 10% Malted Barley
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Barrel Details: Barrel 21 / Batch 12 / Bottle 51 / #3 Char / 30 gallon barrel
Proof / ABV: 90 / 45%
Age: 3 Year Old Age Stated
Price: $55.99

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Caramel

Nose

Light and Airy with cool rye spice, hints of vanilla, heavy brown sugar, and oak

Palate

Creamy vanilla and cool rye spice with toasted brown sugar taking over mid palate and continuing to the back

Finish

Cool mint and rye spice with a low heat and hints of char

In closing

Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Rye really evolves as you continue to enjoy the whiskey. At first, the nose is light and airy but doesn’t come alive until after your first sip. After that first sip the nose is rich and heavy with brown sugar and oak. The palate starts off light but much like the nose another sip and becomes a medium viscosity with richer flavors. The toasted brown sugar really shines as its the perfect touch of sweet to offset the rye spice. The finish is more like a cool breath mint from the mint and rye notes but has just enough heat on the backend to give you some char and aromas of brown sugar in between sips. For $55 its quite enjoyable and has more flavor and viscosity than its proof point typically offers. The rye spice and brown sugar on the palate would make a great cocktail and because of the price you shouldn’t feel guilty about mixing it. I would recommend this bottle as an easy sipper in the summer time because of that cool mint finish.