Creamy butterscotch | Green apple | Rye grain | Vanilla | Oak | Raspberry dark chocolate | Light floral undertone

Honeycomb | Caramel apple | Plum | Apricot | Creamy mouthfeel

Aged oak | Rye spice | Cinnamon | Tobacco | Mild seared mint | Charred oak

15 Stars First West Fine Aged Rye marks the company’s second foray into rye whiskey. The company is again blending three different aged ryes from three different states. Almost a year after their initial rye release, this multi-state blended approach for rye remains a standout characteristic in the industry. Rye can have a tight flavor profile, and blending from multiple distilleries can allow the flavor profile to reach new complexities it might not otherwise have. But as we saw with 15 Stars First West Fine Aged Rye, rye doesn’t always do what you want it to.

15 Stars Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye ups the age of the company's previous rye release, and it's immediately noticeable. The aroma features a creamy butterscotch scent at its onset, which is unique for a rye. It's joined by more typical scents of green apple and rye grain, but then offers rich vanilla and raspberry dark chocolate. The palate is on the light side with honeycomb, caramel apple, plum, and apricot keeping things fruity and sweet. The finish is where the age of the rye comes out the most, with rich aged oak first out of the gate. It’s followed by a rush of rye spice, cinnamon, tobacco, and a mild seared mint and charred oak notes.  

Tasting it side by side with 15 Stars First West Fine Aged Rye, the improvements are immediately noticeable, but those improvements also come at a price. At $50 more, you get a higher aged rye with a better range of flavors. However, the rye’s proof holds it back somewhat and doesn't allow the flavors to fully blossom. With increased depth and complexity, there is more to love with 15 Stars Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye, but blending rye continues to prove a challenging endeavor.