Bourbon/Rye Review #29-31: Bulleit Rye, Bulleit Rye 12, Bone Spirits Bone Snapper 4 Rye Single Barrel # 20 Binny's

This is a side by side of three MGP ryes. They all have the same mashbill with the primary difference being age on the 12 and cask strength on the Bone Snapper

Bulleit Rye

This is a staple in my house. At $40 for a half gallon it is just too cheap not to have on the shelf all the time.

MGP -  NAS - Rye - 95R/5M - $30 - 45%

Color - Russet 

Nose - Strong dill, vanilla, rye spice, cereal

Taste - Dill, rye spice, 

Mouthfeel -  Medium

Finish - Vanilla, Custard, Dill, spice

Finish Length - Short

Overall - 6/7 - This is simple, dill heavy pickle juice.  It is potable neat, can be made into cocktails and is useful to keep around.  Not as good as Rittenhouse but a great value play

Bulleit Rye 12

MGP -  12 - Rye - 95R/5M - $50 - 45%

Color - Russet

Nose - Dill, vanilla ice cream - much more muted on the spice

Taste - Custard, vanilla, hints of spice

Mouthfeel - Medium

Finish - Rye spice, dill, custard

Finish Length - Medium

Overall - 5/7 - The age really took out the dill from the regular bottling. It has this creamy custard flavor that really flows throughout the bottle.  This is a much better neat rye than the regular  Bulleit.  I do think that it has lost enough spice to really carry through in a cocktail.  

Bone Spirits Bone Snapper 4 year old Rye Single Barrel # 20 Binny's

MGP -  4 - Rye - 95R/5M - $50 - 55%

Color - Russet

Nose - Custard, vanilla,hints of spice

Taste - Dill, rye spice, custard 

Mouthfeel - Coating

Finish - Dill, custard, rye spice

Finish Length - Long

Overall - 4.5/7 - This one had next too no nose, it was so faint and subtle, which isn't what I want in a rye.  It also had that custard flavor that flows throughout.  It was much bigger in the mouth than the others, which is no surprise at 10% more ABV.  If I had to chose between the MGPs in this line up, I would take the 12 hands down.  

Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

7 Best in Show

6 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

5 Worth picking up a bottle at MSRP

4 I might order at a bar

3 I would drink it happily if offered

2 Whiskey on the rocks

1 Flawed/astringent - I won't be drinking it again