A little background

Wheel Horse Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled at the O.Z. Tyler Distillery in Owensboro, Ky through a collaboration with Latitude Beverage. This is the first aged rye whiskey distilled at O.Z Tyler Distillery using a sour mash and a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Wheel Horse Rye is aged for a minimum of two years in rick houses that have been on the O.Z. Tyler property for up to 90 years. This rye whiskey goes into the bottle non-chill filtered at 101 proof and has an MSRP of $27.99.

(Tasted neat from a Halo Glass)

Color

Dark Golden

Nose

The nose is on the fruitier side with notes of dried peaches and apricots. A few minutes into the glass a pleasant combination peppery honey to balance the notes on the front.

Palate

The palate is hit an enjoyable sweetness of apricots and honey on the front of the palate. The sweetness is quickly balanced out by a rye spice that coats the palate. By the third sip, the sweetness becomes less potent and more ryes notes are present.

Finish

The finish is on the shorter side but still covers the palate with a warming muted rye spice note. The already muted rye spice note quickly dissipates off the palate.

In closing

It is never easy for a new company to enter an established market. Wheel Horse Straight Rye Whiskey created a rye whiskey that is able to stand on its own among the more established rye whiskeys in this price range. This rye is flavorful to sip neat but also works in fantastic in cocktails. My suggestion is the next time you need another rye to stock your bar, pick up a bottle of Wheel Horse Rye. You really can’t go wrong with rye at this price, especially when it’s this tasty!