Twelve Five Rye Whiskey is named for the day (December 5, 1933) in which President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed prohibition in the United States. It was a good day, and here we’ve got a whiskey that pays tribute to America’s native spirit.
Released by California-based Congenial Spirits and produced at the Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery in Swisher, Iowa, Twelve Five Rye is comprised of 70% rye, 15% malted barley and 15% corn. The ingredients are sourced locally, which is always nice, and post distillation, the spirit is aged in charred American Oak barrels for at least two years.
In the midst of a rye shortage–and at a time when many brands are just packaging versions of industrial rye stocks–the production process of Twelve Five is actually small batch. The original recipe whiskey is produced entirely at the Iowa distillery, and just 2,500 cases were released when the spirit debuted in September of this year.
Twelve Five Rye pours golden amber in the glass with a nose of vanilla and spice. On the palate you’ll find a rush of spicy rye grains, plus soft notes of creme brulee and caramel. On the mid palate the whiskey moves toward pepper and oak, and it finishes very dry.
Twelve Five is a fairly simple whiskey, but it’s a solid example of a true American rye. Sip it neat, drink it over ice or mix it into your favorite classic cocktail.
Stats:
– 47.5% ABV
– $49.99
CE Rating: ★★★
