Nougat | Caramel | Pine needles | Oak | Vanilla | Faint baking chocolate | Slightly herbaceous | Clear finishing barrel influence

Faint Red Hot candies | Rye spice | Caramel | Vanilla syrup | Light oak | Touch of baking chocolate

Peppercorn spice | Chocolate malt balls | Dry oak | Light rye spice | Lingering roasted peanuts

Mile High Spirits is based out of Denver, Colorado. Having had a chance to visit the distillery, I appreciate the fact that the company pushes the boundaries when it comes to the grains they use in their whiskeys. This is no exception with this latest single barrel bourbon, which was aged for 5 years in the company’s downtown Denver rickhouse before being aged for an additional year in a previously used Rye 100 barrel that was previously filled with German malted rye.

Mile High Spirits has always produced a unique bourbon, and things take an even more unique twist when they finish it in their rye barrels for an extended time. The rye barrel influence is noticeable right from the start, with the typical Fireside Rye pine needles and herbaceous scents jumping to the front. The bourbon component comes to the forefront during the midpoint of the sip, with more traditional flavors taking the lead along with rye spice and baking chocolate. Just when you think things have returned to normal, the finish delivers a mix of spices and chocolate malt balls and ends on roasted peanuts which hang around for an incredibly long time. This is certainly a funky bourbon that won’t be for everyone, but for those bourbon lovers who like to dabble in rye and aren’t afraid to get adventurous, Fireside Rye Barrel Finish Bourbon is certainly a whiskey to seek out.