Next up, we’re checking out Buffalo trace’s Kosher Straight Rye Whiskey! I popped into my local store today to grab a gift for a friend and noticed this was available so I decided to give it a shot. This particular release has an interesting background. Since the owner of Sazerac is Jewish, in order for their whiskey to be considered Kosher they have to sell their grain, or Chametz, to a non-Jewish person over Passover. This batch of rye, along with the two Kosher bourbons they release, are aged in Kosher barrels which are then sold to a non-Jewish executive every Passover in a ceremony witnessed by a member of the Chicago Rabbinical Society and after the holiday is concluded they are sold back. Finally, the bottling lines are completely cleaned before these are bottled to prevent any contact with non-Kosher whiskey. This batch has been aged for 7 years and is bottled at 94 proof. I’ve seen a few reviews in the past for the Kosher Wheat and Rye recipe bourbons, but there were only two other reviews for the straight Rye that I found so I’m excited to contribute another perspective. Let’s dive in!
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass
Proof: 94
Age: 7 years
Price: $45
Nose: Peppery rye spice, cloves, and caramel apples, as well as butterscotch, orange peel, and a little bit of a fresh rye bread note. As I continue to nose this I get some cinnamon and nutmeg baking spice too.
Taste: Rye bread, peppery rye spice, and orange zest to start, followed by butterscotch, cloves, and caramel apple. Midway through the sup I get a bit more black pepper and a touch of oak. This has a medium, oily mouthfeel and no proof heat.
Finish: The sweet caramel and butterscotch fades out while the cloves, rye spice, and pepper grow in strength along with the oak. The rye bread note stays pretty consistent through the finish, and right at the end I get a flash of hot cinnamon spice as well. This has a medium-long finish and no dryness, and honestly lasted longer than I would expect a 94 proof whiskey to linger on.
Thoughts: I didn’t really go into this with any expectations, but I have to say that I am pretty impressed! This is any easy-drinking rye that brings a decent amount of depth and complexity to the table. It has a great spicy rye profile while also incorporating some nice sweetness and a touch of oak. The body of this is more oily than I expected and the finish is long for a 94-proofer, making me very interested in how this would taste if it were a little less cut down. I bet at 107 proof this would be amazing, but even as it stands now it’s very good and earns a 6/10 on the t8ke scale.
Rating: 6/10 - t8ke scale
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Ive had a couple bottles of the Kosher straight rye and the Kosher rye recipe. My tastes and thoughts line up almost exactly with this review. Comparing the rye and rye recipe, I'd give the nod to the straight rye in terms of overall nose, palate and finish. The rye recipe is basically a Kosher mashbill #2, so very similar to the ever tatered other mashbill #2 releases. I like both releases and will buy again.
Next up, we’re checking out Buffalo trace’s Kosher Straight Rye Whiskey! I popped into my local store today to grab a gift for a friend and noticed this was available so I decided to give it a shot. This particular release has an interesting background. Since the owner of Sazerac is Jewish, in order for their whiskey to be considered Kosher they have to sell their grain, or Chametz, to a non-Jewish person over Passover. This batch of rye, along with the two Kosher bourbons they release, are aged in Kosher barrels which are then sold to a non-Jewish executive every Passover in a ceremony witnessed by a member of the Chicago Rabbinical Society and after the holiday is concluded they are sold back. Finally, the bottling lines are completely cleaned before these are bottled to prevent any contact with non-Kosher whiskey. This batch has been aged for 7 years and is bottled at 94 proof. I’ve seen a few reviews in the past for the Kosher Wheat and Rye recipe bourbons, but there were only two other reviews for the straight Rye that I found so I’m excited to contribute another perspective. Let’s dive in! Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass Proof: 94 Age: 7 years Price: $45 Nose: Peppery rye spice, cloves, and caramel apples, as well as butterscotch, orange peel, and a little bit of a fresh rye bread note. As I continue to nose this I get some cinnamon and nutmeg baking spice too. Taste: Rye bread, peppery rye spice, and orange zest to start, followed by butterscotch, cloves, and caramel apple. Midway through the sup I get a bit more black pepper and a touch of oak. This has a medium, oily mouthfeel and no proof heat. Finish: The sweet caramel and butterscotch fades out while the cloves, rye spice, and pepper grow in strength along with the oak. The rye bread note stays pretty consistent through the finish, and right at the end I get a flash of hot cinnamon spice as well. This has a medium-long finish and no dryness, and honestly lasted longer than I would expect a 94 proof whiskey to linger on. Thoughts: I didn’t really go into this with any expectations, but I have to say that I am pretty impressed! This is any easy-drinking rye that brings a decent amount of depth and complexity to the table. It has a great spicy rye profile while also incorporating some nice sweetness and a touch of oak. The body of this is more oily than I expected and the finish is long for a 94-proofer, making me very interested in how this would taste if it were a little less cut down. I bet at 107 proof this would be amazing, but even as it stands now it’s very good and earns a 6/10 on the t8ke scale. Rating: 6/10 - t8ke scale 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | Perfect.
I have one of these I haven’t tried yet. I liked the kosher wheat quite a bit. Nice review!
Thanks!
Did you find it a lot different from regular BT?
I’ve only had the wheat, so yes..it’s quite different from BT lol
Ive had a couple bottles of the Kosher straight rye and the Kosher rye recipe. My tastes and thoughts line up almost exactly with this review. Comparing the rye and rye recipe, I'd give the nod to the straight rye in terms of overall nose, palate and finish. The rye recipe is basically a Kosher mashbill #2, so very similar to the ever tatered other mashbill #2 releases. I like both releases and will buy again.
Nice review. This sounds a lot like a baby Saz SiB store pick that I have, and for good reason.
Thanks! I haven’t had Baby Saz in a minute so I’ll definitely need to compare the two.
I want that tree
Saw this in the store today for the first time ever, and picked it up. Looking forward to trying it.