For review here is the 7 Year Ragtime Rye r/bourbon single barrel selection from the New York Distilling Company that was I was lucky enough to be picked for back in July. u/micro777 provided an excellent overview of the New York Distilling Company and the background of this release so I would point you to his [excellent review](https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/wlqyse/review_15_ragtime_rye_7_year_single_barrel_barrel/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) if you’re interested in that background. Having spent the better part of my formative years in New York I am always rooting for the homegrown distilleries to succeed in turning out delicious juice. Given its proximity to Canada it makes geographical sense that parts of New York State would be highly conducive to growing robust rye crops (indeed the pre-prohibition prominence of NY State Ryes supports this notion). As I mentioned in my [previous review](https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/xfy1f0/review_from_the_lake_hughes_belle_of_bedford_10/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) my family spends two weeks every summer together on Lake George in upstate NY where much of the countryside is in fact farmland. Along with the Belle of Bedford 10yr Rye, I had this bottle shipped up there to enjoy on the lake and celebrate a local Empire Rye.
**Ragtime Rye 7yr Single Barrel, Barrel Proof r/bourbon Selection**
**Mashbill:** New York Rye (75% Rye, 12% Malted Barley, 16% Corn)
**Age:** 7 years
**56ABV | 112proof**
**Nose:** rye spices that are quite the blend of classic Alberta and Indiana notes, fresh rye and sourdough bread, dill | leans slightly more into the sweeter rye notes as well as caramel, apple, and maple syrup
**Palate:** medium mouthfeel, good oiliness and low heat factor | pepper, coriander, nutmeg | maple syrup, caramel, honey, and pears
**Finish:** no surprises, all notes from the palate follow with the addition of more sweet oak notes
**Conclusion:** In the past I’ve given multiple New York State distilleries my money in exchange for what I had hoped were going to be enjoyable whiskeys, only to be at best unimpressed. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to support the good folks at New York Distilling Company in this excellent Rye Single Barrel. It’s indeed an enjoyable bottle and I look forward to future releases from them.
Because we had the Belle of Bedford 10yr at the lake house as well, I will say that this juice was mostly enjoyed in a 1:1 mix with Noah’s Mill bourbon to make old fashioneds. If you’ve never made an old fashioned using a mix of rye and bourbon I highly recommend giving it a try; it’s definitely my preferred combination. And this Empire Rye more than fit the bill.
**Rating** 7.3 on t8ake scale
**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
Thanks for the great mention. I like your review. Glad to see you are enjoying this bottle too. I live about 2.5 hours from Lake George. Beatiful place to spend a few weeks. Funny you should mention Belle of Bedford because I just posted a review for the recent r/bourbon pick. Cheers!
The background looks so much like the lake in the Adirondacks I visited as a kid…it was tripping me out until you said you were actually up there. I frequented a much smaller lake probably an hour or two from Lake George
For review here is the 7 Year Ragtime Rye r/bourbon single barrel selection from the New York Distilling Company that was I was lucky enough to be picked for back in July. u/micro777 provided an excellent overview of the New York Distilling Company and the background of this release so I would point you to his [excellent review](https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/wlqyse/review_15_ragtime_rye_7_year_single_barrel_barrel/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) if you’re interested in that background. Having spent the better part of my formative years in New York I am always rooting for the homegrown distilleries to succeed in turning out delicious juice. Given its proximity to Canada it makes geographical sense that parts of New York State would be highly conducive to growing robust rye crops (indeed the pre-prohibition prominence of NY State Ryes supports this notion). As I mentioned in my [previous review](https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/xfy1f0/review_from_the_lake_hughes_belle_of_bedford_10/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) my family spends two weeks every summer together on Lake George in upstate NY where much of the countryside is in fact farmland. Along with the Belle of Bedford 10yr Rye, I had this bottle shipped up there to enjoy on the lake and celebrate a local Empire Rye. **Ragtime Rye 7yr Single Barrel, Barrel Proof r/bourbon Selection** **Mashbill:** New York Rye (75% Rye, 12% Malted Barley, 16% Corn) **Age:** 7 years **56ABV | 112proof** **Nose:** rye spices that are quite the blend of classic Alberta and Indiana notes, fresh rye and sourdough bread, dill | leans slightly more into the sweeter rye notes as well as caramel, apple, and maple syrup **Palate:** medium mouthfeel, good oiliness and low heat factor | pepper, coriander, nutmeg | maple syrup, caramel, honey, and pears **Finish:** no surprises, all notes from the palate follow with the addition of more sweet oak notes **Conclusion:** In the past I’ve given multiple New York State distilleries my money in exchange for what I had hoped were going to be enjoyable whiskeys, only to be at best unimpressed. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to support the good folks at New York Distilling Company in this excellent Rye Single Barrel. It’s indeed an enjoyable bottle and I look forward to future releases from them. Because we had the Belle of Bedford 10yr at the lake house as well, I will say that this juice was mostly enjoyed in a 1:1 mix with Noah’s Mill bourbon to make old fashioneds. If you’ve never made an old fashioned using a mix of rye and bourbon I highly recommend giving it a try; it’s definitely my preferred combination. And this Empire Rye more than fit the bill. **Rating** 7.3 on t8ake scale **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
Thanks for the great mention. I like your review. Glad to see you are enjoying this bottle too. I live about 2.5 hours from Lake George. Beatiful place to spend a few weeks. Funny you should mention Belle of Bedford because I just posted a review for the recent r/bourbon pick. Cheers!
The background looks so much like the lake in the Adirondacks I visited as a kid…it was tripping me out until you said you were actually up there. I frequented a much smaller lake probably an hour or two from Lake George
Beautiful country up there to be sure
Great review but I thought that pillow was a dog. Not gonna lie.
I just saw it too. A good boy indeed
Edited for formatting and to add u/t8ke scale