Herbaceous undertone | Mint | Heavy pine needle | Peppermint oil | Hint of smoked barley | Faint oak | Fresh cut Christmas tree

Light caramel | Peppermint | Rye spice | Faint oak | Green bell pepper | Nontraditional rye spice flavors

Rye spice | Green peppercorn spice | Faint peppermint oil | Touch of oak | Fleeting caramel | Short

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. Their latest single barrel rye is no exception, as it contains three different rye varieties along with smoked malted barley. Adding another year to the aging process, this is the follow-up to their last round of Fireside Triple Rye Whiskey Single Barrel, which was aged for 5 years.

There is no denying that Fireside Triple Rye Whiskey Single Barrel is one of the most unique ryes produced on a yearly basis. Much like last year’s younger version, the nose starts off with some of the most herbaceous scents you’ll ever encounter in a whiskey, and transports you to the moment you put up a fresh-cut Christmas tree in your house. Pulling in additional non-traditional flavors, the palate highlights peppermint, rye spice, and notes of green bell peppers. While the sip ends on a mix of spices, it’s shorter than I hoped, since the flavors presented are pleasing and enjoyable while they last. Fireside Triple Rye Whiskey Single Barrel continues to be an intriguing rye from a distillery that isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of what American whiskeys should taste like.

The bottle in review comes from barrel number 17f22.4e7.