Trying Something New With A Rye Whiskey Flight

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Parker's Heritage Rye Whiskey, Thomas H Handy, and Smooth Ambler Founders on a bar back
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Partly inspired by our good friend Zach Johnston from UPROXX, I sat down with a flight of heavy-hitting rye whiskies a few weeks back. In this tasting, I will share my notes from these great tasting pours and how I ranked them at the end.

Rye Whiskies Tasted:

  • Parker’s Heritage Heavy Char Rye Whiskey – 8 Years old
  • Smooth Ambler Founders Cask Strength Rye Whiskey – Batch 3
  • Thomas H. Handy – 2019
  • Parker’s Heritage – 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey

Which one do you think comes out on top? Send us a note before you scroll any further

Parker’s Heritage Heavy Char Rye – Proof 108

  • Nose: Toasted vanilla, oak, light citrus, balanced by roasted peanut
  • Palate: Roasted Christmas nuts, orange peel, honeysuckle
  • Finish: Light finish which is slightly floral with hints of honeysuckle

Smooth Ambler Founder’s Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Batch Number 3 – Proof 122.6

  • Nose: Refreshing nose, coming from the previous “heavy char” pour; creamy, citrus, and vanilla
  • Palate: Bright palate, citrus candies, vanilla and cream soda
  • Finish: Long finish of crème brûlée and citrus

Thomas H. Handy – 2019 – Proof 128.8

  • Nose: Caramel, hint of citrus, oak influence, slight wisp of cherry
  • Palate: tropical fruit, pineapple, coconut, banana, balanced by sweet caramel
  • Finish: It finishes like a muddled old fashioned

Parker’s Heritage – 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey – Proof 128.8

  • Nose: Oak, vanilla, citrus
  • Palate: peanut butter, oak, creamy mouthfeel, brown sugar, that taste like tagalong cookies in a glass. This would confuse many bourbon drinkers.
  • Finish: Sweet, long finish

After drinking this amazing flight of rye whiskey, it was time to decide which one was best! I won’t keep you waiting! Here is how I ranked them:

4) Parker’s Heritage Heavy Char Rye

3) Thomas H. Handy – 2019

2) Park’s Heritage 10 year old rye whiskey

1) Smooth Ambler Founder’s Cask Strength Rye Whiskey – Batch 3

This was a great flight, but I have to say that Smooth Ambler is on to something with their Founder’s Series Rye Whiskey.

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