Pine | Amaretto | French toast | Cinnamon | Maple sugar candy | Barrel char

Barrel-aged maple syrup | Amaretto | Butterscotch | Baking spice | Seared mint

Mexican chocolate | Rye spice | Barrel char | Burnt sugar | Light clove | Lingering spicy heat

There aren’t enough whiskeys that are holiday themed. Maybe there aren’t enough holidays that warrant holiday-specific bottles, but there are a few that are tailor made for it. Beyond expanding the spirits brand line, Seelbach’s is also an online retailer, so they probably see the value in such ideas better than most producers.

Seelbach’s Christmas Rye is tailor-made for the holiday season. Using a rich baking spiced and minty rye as its base plays nicely with its Amburana and maple syrup finishing. The result is a rich, fruit-cake style whiskey that embodies the holiday season.

A lot of that has to do with the number of flavors this whiskey puts in front of you. The holidays are a time of overindulging, and Seelbach’s Christmas Rye poses the question: How much flavor can you take? With an aroma filled with pine, amaretto, french toast, maple, and rich barrel char, a palate with barrel-aged maple syrup, butterscotch, and mint, and a finish spiced with Mexican chocolate, rye spice, and clove, Seelbach’s Christmas Rye is not short on flavor.

Yet, it all comes together despite what common sense may lead you to believe. Though many are worn out on Ambruana finishing at this point, Seelbach’s has found creative ways to use it in ways other producers haven't, or simply gave up on too soon to discover. Seelbach’s Christmas Rye is a rich and satisfying whiskey, but given its wild flavor swings, may not be for everyone. For those looking for an adventurous rye with a good degree of fun at an affordable price, can’t go wrong with Seelbach’s Christmas Rye.