Review: Still Austin Bottled in Bond Rye
Review: Still Austin Bottled in Bond Rye
Still Austin‘s fourth and final seasonal bottled in bond expression has arrived, and unlike the previous three releases — all bourbon — this one is composed of rye. 100% Texas-grown rye to be specific. As a bonded release, it spends 4 years in barrel before hitting the bottle at 50% abv.
No big surprises lie in store for the drinker here, though the quality of the product is clearly on point. The nose is herbal and peppery while avoiding the bitter greenness that impacts so many ryes — especially 100% or 95/5 renditions. Pleasant notes of butterscotch and peanut butter — surprising given there’s no corn here — sweeten up the nose a bit, with warming undertones of cinnamon and nutmeg close behind.
The whiskey strikes the palate with moderate sweetness — a brown sugar and honey quality that is tamed by baking spices and, eventually, a pinch of red pepper. Creamy in body with a reprise of peanuts and some almonds, the whiskey eventually moves toward more of a chocolate character, touched with ample, toasty notes of barrel char. There’s further sweetness on the back end in the form of maple syrup, slathered over toasted rye bread along with hints of raisins.
All told it’s delightful departure from the usual grass-fed experience that defines today’s typical rye offerings as well as a crackerjack cocktail ingredient — and another winner from Still Austin.
100 proof.
A- / $80 / stillaustin.com [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
Still Austin Bottled in Bond Rye
$80
