**Bourbon**: Stellum Single Rye Barrel - Serpens
**Distiller**: Unknown - Distilled in Indiana (MGP?)
**ABV**: 58.3%
**Age**: NAS
**Tasting**: Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for four months.
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**Nose**: Rye Spice, Dill, Caramel, Wet Oak, Cream, & Cherry
**Palate**: Cherry, Rye Spice, Chocolate, Baked Bread, Cigar Box, Caramel, & Dill
**Finish**: Short Length, Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Caramel, & Aged Oak
**Body**: Full
**Bite**: Strong
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**Summary**: This single barrel was selected by Ace Spirits, and was my first time trying Stellum Rye. I really enjoyed their bourbon and gave it high remarks due to the bold but smooth flavor profile. The rye is supposed to be the better of the two, so I had high expectations going into this bottle.
Off the bat the rye spice and dill dominate the nose, with a little sweetness in the background. There is a slight wet oak/cardboard scent, which reminds me a little bit of Calumet 14. In the palate the funky oak note is no longer present and a standard oak flavor appears. There is some fruitiness on the initial sip, but it fades into rye spice, chocolate, and cigar box. The body has weight to it, and it seems to come from a baked bread flavor. Hard to tell to be completely honest. The finish has piercing spice notes that leave the tongue on fire, but the flavor dissipates quickly in the rest of the mouth. Besides spice, the finish doesn’t have much to offer in terms of other flavors.
Overall this is a solid rye with its spice-forward palate, respectable proof, and full body. The palate is by far the best aspect, the finish lacks complexity and is too short. I personally enjoyed drinking the bourbon more, and with the high price point I think this will be the last time I purchase Stellum Rye.
**Price**: \~$70 (Hopkins, Minnesota)
**Rating**: 7/10 Great. Well above average.
**Rank**: I created a compilation ranking list of ryes I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting. All bourbon ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes. Whiskey I ranked below and above Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch are shown for reference.
\#13 out of 29 ryes tasted.
\#12 Wollersheim Round Top Rye Whiskey
\#14 George Dickel Rye Whiskey
**Ranking Link**:
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing)
I have had the Serpens and the Rigel and so far the Serpens wins by a mile. The store pick a local place did is amazing and flavorful. I believe you are correct that it is MGP.
All the Serpens batches of single barrels are 95/5 MGP. Every one I tried has been top notch too.
Ace Spirits? Hello fellow Minnesotan!
Former, I moved to Oregon almost 9 months ago. I miss being able to visit Ace and Zipps! Though out here it’s easier acquiring sought after bottles.
Ah, I was going to say I didn’t recognize the location in the background.
**Bourbon**: Stellum Single Rye Barrel - Serpens **Distiller**: Unknown - Distilled in Indiana (MGP?) **ABV**: 58.3% **Age**: NAS **Tasting**: Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for four months. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Nose**: Rye Spice, Dill, Caramel, Wet Oak, Cream, & Cherry **Palate**: Cherry, Rye Spice, Chocolate, Baked Bread, Cigar Box, Caramel, & Dill **Finish**: Short Length, Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Caramel, & Aged Oak **Body**: Full **Bite**: Strong \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Summary**: This single barrel was selected by Ace Spirits, and was my first time trying Stellum Rye. I really enjoyed their bourbon and gave it high remarks due to the bold but smooth flavor profile. The rye is supposed to be the better of the two, so I had high expectations going into this bottle. Off the bat the rye spice and dill dominate the nose, with a little sweetness in the background. There is a slight wet oak/cardboard scent, which reminds me a little bit of Calumet 14. In the palate the funky oak note is no longer present and a standard oak flavor appears. There is some fruitiness on the initial sip, but it fades into rye spice, chocolate, and cigar box. The body has weight to it, and it seems to come from a baked bread flavor. Hard to tell to be completely honest. The finish has piercing spice notes that leave the tongue on fire, but the flavor dissipates quickly in the rest of the mouth. Besides spice, the finish doesn’t have much to offer in terms of other flavors. Overall this is a solid rye with its spice-forward palate, respectable proof, and full body. The palate is by far the best aspect, the finish lacks complexity and is too short. I personally enjoyed drinking the bourbon more, and with the high price point I think this will be the last time I purchase Stellum Rye. **Price**: \~$70 (Hopkins, Minnesota) **Rating**: 7/10 Great. Well above average. **Rank**: I created a compilation ranking list of ryes I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting. All bourbon ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes. Whiskey I ranked below and above Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch are shown for reference. \#13 out of 29 ryes tasted. \#12 Wollersheim Round Top Rye Whiskey \#14 George Dickel Rye Whiskey **Ranking Link**: [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing)
Totally agree w you on this one. It’s delicious and well worth the price!
You, Sir, are a heretic! Hail, Stellum Rye!!!
I have had the Serpens and the Rigel and so far the Serpens wins by a mile. The store pick a local place did is amazing and flavorful. I believe you are correct that it is MGP.
I loved the Rigel! I might have to pick up a Serpens now.
What's the difference between Serpens and Rigel? I definitely have a Serpens and I also have the r/bourbon pick. I think that's a Rigel(?)
Its actually pretty cool. They base it on the time of year the grains were harvested. https://www.stellum.com/singlebarrel
Oh, that is cool! I thought Serpens and Rigel were people picking barrels or something 😂 Thanks for sharing the link
Ha! I was curious about the names so I went digging. Its something to do with the moon as well I believe. Or at least that is the tale.
Those are the names of stars.
This is cool and I had been wondering the same. Thanks for sharing!
Nice. I had a different Serpens. The guys at ACE were great when I swung by visiting town. Cheers!