When you hear about something unique like taking whiskey barrels and shipping across the Atlantic and letting them age in England you either think of two questions: Is this a gimmick? Or What will actually happen to the whiskey? I am very curious person so I asked the second question and when this bottle arrived I didn’t waste anytime trying it, so let’s dive in shall we?
Just the Facts: Never Say Die Rye Whiskey
- Style: Kentucky Style Rye Whiskey Aged in England
- Mashbill: 56% rye, 33% corn, 11% malted barley
- Proof: 105
- Age: undisclosed
- Price: 84.95
Tasting Notes: Never Say Die Rye Whiskey
Nose: Corn sweetness that is balanced by notes of cola, citrus, vanilla and caramel.
Palate: This rye whiskey has a rich palate with creamy mouth feel. It begins with vanilla custard (that slight tanginess stands out vs a traditional vanilla ice cream note) and orange zest. The second sip wakes up herbal notes of black tea and mint which balances the sweetness of the dram.
Finish: Very delicate finish of vanilla and citrus zest.
Closing Thoughts:
This is a really good Rye whiskey. There is a reason this preformed well at San Francisco World Spirits Competition with Double Gold. It has been one of the better rye whiskey’s I have drank this year. If you are looking for something unique and are okay with spending $90.00 roughly, give this bottle a try!
Press Release – Never Say Die Rye Whiskey
Never Say Die, the trailblazing independent whiskey brand known for its innovative barrel aging techniques, is launching its ‘sweet mash’ Rye Whiskey in the US this April.
Never Say Die Rye Whiskey (70cl, 52.5% ABV, RRP $84.95) follows the same unique trans-Atlantic aging process as the brand’s award-winning Bourbons. Distilled in Kentucky, the rye rests in its original casks for at least five years before embarking on a six-week voyage across the Atlantic to the UK for further aging and maturation at White Peak Distillery.
Fresh off its Double Gold Win at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards and the “Master” win at the Global Spirit Masters Competition, Never Say Die Rye Whiskey boasts a pioneering “sweet mash” bill, deviating from the traditional sour mash method common in Kentucky. This, along with the unique aging process, results in a distinctive flavor profile that belies its age.
Never Say Die’s unique trans-Atlantic aging process follows in the hoofsteps of the legendary Kentucky-born racehorse that was saved at birth by a lucky shot of Bourbon and then went on to win the Epsom Derby at odds of 33-1, triggering a sequence of events that led to the formation of The Beatles.
Never Say Die co-founder, Brian Luftman, says:
“The contrasting climatic conditions during this journey, coupled with the liquid getting a good shake-up as it crosses the Atlantic, really gives our whiskey a flavor that’s way beyond its years. In our proprietary mash bill, we’ve got 56% rye, 33% corn, and 11% malted barley, creating this perfectly balanced profile. You’ll catch hints of citrus, green herbs, and this lovely dance between punchy spice and buttery richness. We take pride in custom-producing all our barrels and put a lot of heart into crafting these whiskeys using nothing but 100% KY Proud®-sourced ingredients. Never Say Die Rye Whiskey is a “Kentucky-style” rye with all of the spice and character of a rye whiskey, layered with the unmistakably sweet and smooth complexity of a Kentucky whiskey.”
Never Say Die Rye will be available in the USA from April 2024. It can be found on store shelves in Kentucky and Illinois, with more states to follow, and it is available to buy from Seelbach’s for $84.95.
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
- Michter’s Announces Release of its Rare 20 Year Kentucky Bourbon After Hiatus
- No, Not Get Wasted – We Literally Mean “Get Basted” with Skrewball Whiskey This Thanksgiving
- Milam & Greene Whiskey New Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon
- Limited Edition Wyatt Earp 13-Year-Old American Whiskey is “Hazmat”
- Still Austin Whiskey Co. Launches “Kentucky Fill Up Day”
- New 2024 Cask Strength Angel’s Envy Reviewed
