Disclosure: the sample for this review was provided at no cost. Our tasting notes and score are our own.
A little background
Larrikin 9 Year Single Barrel Rye Whiskey is a cask strength rye whiskey from Larrikin Bourbon Co., aged nine years and bottled at 122.5 proof (61.25% ABV). The mash bill is 64% rye, 30% corn and 6% malted barley, and the distillery that produced the whiskey has not been disclosed. Each bottle is drawn from a single barrel and offered at full cask strength, and the suggested retail price is $120.
Larrikin Bourbon Co. was founded by Greg Keeley, LCDR, USN (Ret.), and his wife and co-founder, Katie Keeley, LT, USNR (Inactive). Greg was raised on the beach in Australian wine country and commissioned in both the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy before founding the company in Kentucky. As the brand describes it, a larrikin is someone with a rebellious spirit who challenges convention while staying true to who they are, and that spirit drives its good-humoured, slightly cheeky take on Kentucky bourbon tradition. The company is based in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and believes bourbon is meant to be experienced, not explained.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Dark Gold
Nose
Orange cream, vanilla, stone fruit, apple, caramel, oak, and rye spice.
Palate
Cinnamon, vanilla, baking spice, orange citrus, caramel, rye spice, and oak.
Finish
Toasted caramel, rye spice, cinnamon, baking spice, orange citrus, and oak.
In closing
Larrikin 9 Year Single Barrel Rye opens with a sweet, fruity nose of orange cream, vanilla, stone fruit and apple, backed by caramel, oak and rye spice. The palate has a great creamy mouthfeel, delivering cinnamon, vanilla, baking spice, orange citrus and caramel with rye spice and oak running underneath. The finish is intense, rich and satisfyingly long, bringing toasted caramel, rye spice, cinnamon, baking spice and orange citrus before turning slightly drying and floral as the oak carries it out.
Oak is present from start to finish and the rye spice is apparent throughout, yet neither overwhelms the sweetness and fruit, leaving a well balanced whiskey with a very enjoyable flavor profile. At $120, it is fairly priced for a nine-year cask strength single barrel rye at 122.5 proof, and it has the depth and richness to back that up. This was my first product from Larrikin, and simply put, they have my attention!
NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Larrikin Bourbon Co. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.
Larrikin 9 Year Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
122.5 Proof
Please enjoy responsibly. Never drink and drive.
