Known for its strong and fiery flavor, rye whiskey has long been a favorite among American spirits. Rye, formerly the whiskey of choice during the 18th century, decreased in popularity as bourbon gained traction. However, for the past 15 years or so, rye whiskey has had a resurgence of sorts. It appears that rye whiskey is once again gaining popularity among whiskey enthusiasts, us included!
Colorado’s whiskey sector is fueled by creativity and artistry and a modern-day innovation at the forefront of this movement is barrel-finished rye whiskey. Trying our hand at this movement, we crafted a finished rye whiskey that expertly strikes a balance between spice and sweetness by maturing our rye in a bourbon cask that had also aged a peach ale spirit. We were able to add another chapter to Colorado whiskey history by fusing traditional methods of whiskey-making with a contemporary, forward-thinking approach, creating our very limited release, the Peach Ryeceratops.
A Barrel’s Journey To Greatness
This project began as Old Elk’s first ever 9-Year Single Barrel release, which was hand-selected by ParHopper and The Local Drive. The barrel then made its way to Launch Pad Brewing, where it aged their Imperial Golden Ale: Peach Rings of Saturn. Finally, it landed in our hands here at Branch & Barrel, where we filled it with our rich and delicious Rye Whiskey that starts with a carefully crafted rye mash bill and ages in charred oak barrels to compound its full-bodied, spicy character. The result is Peach Ryeceratops, a harmonious blend of tradition and creativity! The robust spice of rye is smoothed somewhat by the luscious sweetness of peaches and lingering sweet bourbon, a three-way pairing made in heaven, it seems.
Timing Is Everything
Whiskey finishing in used casks is both an art and a science. The rye whiskey and the bourbon and peach residue mingle with the wood to create a unique alchemy that really brings the spirit to life. Time is a major factor that is crucial to this process. Too short of a time and the tastes won’t emerge, however, if it’s too long, the residues may overpower the rye. This one, we must say, we timed perfectly!
Tasting Notes – A Sensory Sensation
This very special triple-collab features flavors as immense as its namesake dinosaur, including notes of candy peach rings, white chocolate, lemon zest, pear, mint, lemongrass, and graham crackers. No other whiskey will give you the sensory sensation delivered by our Peach Ryeceratops. The complex and sweet layers that were charred in peachy-bourbon oak create a gentler peppery backbone. This finished rye has a surprise factor, in contrast to typical rye whiskey, with it being quite robust and straightforward, but also smooth and sweet.
The added layer of flavor variations makes this crowd pleaser all the more versatile and palatable, even to novice whiskey palates. This finished rye is special! It has something to offer anyone who enjoys a good pour. It is approachable enough for beginners to enjoy, but complex enough for seasoned whiskey lovers to appreciate.
Enjoy It However You Like!
We enjoy this expression best, neat, in a Glencairn-type glass allowing you to get full capillary action and the full-bodied experience. We suggest drinking it straight up or dilute it with a dash of water to enhance its flavor for the true whiskey connoisseurs. However, it is equally as good in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan or Whiskey Sour, so mix away and get creative! Also, we haven’t tested it yet but we’ve been talking, how good would this be mixed with fresh unsweetened tea? It’s available in the tasting room, come give it a sip and grab a bottle to take home.