The Basics: 

R.J. Cooper & Son Distillery (sourced)

100 Proof

NAS

$80 MSRP

Nose:

Apple Jacks cereal, honey, pears, vanilla custard, and spearmint.

Palate: 

Stewed apples, nutmeg, Red Hots candy, honeycomb, plum, and heavy oak.

Finish:

Medium finish with molasses, cardamom, and green apple.

Final Thoughts:

The latest release from R.J. Cooper & Son distillery is the Lock Stock & Barrel Vatted straight rye whiskey. This release is a blend of straight rye whiskies from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Canada. The heart of the blend is 9 year-old whiskey on average, coming in at 100 proof. As soon as I opened this bottle, it was obvious that this was going to be a bold and spicy rye that doesn’t shy away from some of the more assertive flavors. Similar to opening a new box of cereal, an intense aroma of Apple Jacks pours out of the bottle, which is further amplified in the glass along with honey and pears. The green apple notes carry all the way to the finish, along with a punch of nutmeg and cinnamon on the palate to increase the spiciness of the whiskey. Overall, this is one to try if you like bold rye whiskies. It is complex and packs a flavor punch, especially for a 100 proof pour.