Strong cinnamon bark | Red Hots candies | Vegetative | Light dry oak | Funky yet interesting combination of scents

Malted grain | Rye spice | Smoky grain | Youthful grain | Vanilla | Light Cinnamon | Layers of various grains blended with spice

Oak | Leather | Cinnamon bark | Rye spice | Dry baking chocolate | Dry oak and spice slowly fade

Fireside seems to have created a rye lover's bourbon in large part due to its low corn and high rye nature, and the fact that the label states they’re using chocolate barley malt. Part of the company's single barrel selects series, the resulting whiskey is a rye forward bourbon that makes its uniqueness known throughout. It starts with a funky nose that makes you unprepared for the flavorful and nuanced sip that follows. Highlighting grains and spice, the palate and finish deliver flavors that typically aren’t associated with a bourbon. While the whiskey has slight youthful traits, it will be very interesting to see how more time in the barrel treats it. If you’re a fan of funkier high-rye bourbons, this is one to watch out for.

The bottle being reviewed is from barrel #17f12 .br .3