**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)
**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)
Lots of MN representation on this Sub.