Limousin Rye Batch #B14 (46.0%): Although Limousin Rye is distilled from a 100% rye mash bill Dancing Goat Distillery had to label this whiskey as a "whiskey distilled from a rye mash" instead of a "rye whiskey" because of a pretty unique solera system introducing Limousin French oak casks and a mixture of additional ex-rye and new charred American oak barrels used in the aging process. Obviously any solera system or previously used barrels violate the "new oak container" only requirement set by TTB and in this case make Limousin Rye not a "rye whiskey". This handsome sample bottle has been handed to me by Travis Hasse himself who is one of the founders of the Wisconsin based Dancing Goat Distillery at an event here in Los Angeles and carries the batch number B14.
Color: Yellow gold with thin but slow legs.
Nose: A little spirity and grainy... Young alcohol, lemon curd and dried apricots. Cigarette smoke, more like an ashtray and star anise. Roasted pumpkin seeds and grilled vegetables. Definitely something different going on here...
Palate: Pleasant and gentle entry with a noticeable silky texture. Feels like an aged American Light Whiskey on the palate actually. White pepper, cloves and carrot cake with spices dialed up. Lemon juice, fresh almonds and young grape brandy.
Finish: Medium-short with some young alcohol burn and cracked peppercorns.
Overall: It is exciting to see that they are actually trying something very unique here. Using a solera system and using mainly second-fill barrels overall shows their commitment to a much older spirit. It is young as it is no doubt about it but there are so many good qualities in the spirit which make me look forward to sampling the longer aged bottlings in the future. A very intriguing whisky to keep an eye on and follow as it gets older...
Price: $40
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