Light rye spice | Brown sugar | Vanilla custard | Herbal undertone | Delicate overall

Maple sugar candy | Seasoned oak | Rye spice on the backend | Light delivery but has a buttery mouthfeel

Rye spice intensifies | Barrel char | Tobacco | Dry oak | Burnt brown sugar | Long

According to the company’s press release, “Island Rooster was inspired by a trip to the Caribbean, where roosters announce the coming day.” For this limited release, a total of 25 barrels of Chicken Cock’s Kentucky Straight Rye were finished in rum barrels for at least 6 months. Despite its 95% rye mashbill, rye spice is rather subtle throughout though it does emerge most prominently in the finish. And despite its 6 month plus rum barrel finishing time, the rum influence is quite subtle in contrast to more heavy handed rum barrel influenced ryes, such as Angel’s Envy Finished Rye.

The combination of flavors and their somewhat delicate delivery makes Island Rooster quite easy to drink as it offers a subtle integration of flavors that comes together very well, though it’s not immediately attention-grabbing as a result. What is attention-grabbing however, is its price. Coming in at $200 which is $130 more than the base rye’s $70 price point, the price is somewhat shocking. The fact that it’s limited to 25 barrels and has a catchy label design will certainly help, but considering it’s a whiskey that seems to have more easy sipping mass appeal and less fireworks I would prefer to see a much lower price.