Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Single Barrel Rye Review

Bourbon Rabbi
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
8 Year Single Barrel
Proof: 98
SRP: $52.39 (BR Website)
Review

Please enjoy my Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Rye Review!

The Bourbon Rabbi

Bourbon Rabbi, is both a person, Rabbi Chaim Litvin, a renowned and respected kosher expert with nearly two decades of experience in the bourbon industry, as well as a bourbon brand. In addition to producing a growing line of premier bourbons, whiskeys and other spiritis — including a number of finished whiskeys and even an agave spirit — Bourbon Rabbi offers tours, tastings, and lectures that reflect both his knowledge and passion for whiskey. In this review, we take a closer look at one of his more mature offerings: the Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Rye Whiskey.

The Specifics

Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Single Barrel Rye, distilled and aged at the Bardstown Bourbon Company, was crafted from a mash bill of 64% rye, 30% corn and 6% malted barley. This mash bill is intriguing because it differs from BBC’s Origin Series Rye, which uses a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash bill. Moreover, the mash bill is fairly similar to BBC’s Origin Series High Rye Bourbon (60% corn, 36% rye and 4% malted barley), with the corn and rye swapped and the percentages adjusted slightly. Considering its age of 8 years, this rye represents one of the earliest whiskeys produced by BBC, and it is certainly possible there was some mash bill experimentation at that time.

The Plot Thickens

As a full disclosure, I am friends with the Bourbon Rabbi, and happened to be over at his distillery and saw these barrels. In addition to the unusual mash bill and high age, there’s one more thing that is a bit of a quandary: the barrel heads say Belle Meade Rye on them. Now, this is interesting, because there has not been a rye released under the Belle Meade label, as far as I know. However, there is a rye under the related Nelson Brothers label, and it is distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company. It turns out that its mash bill is 64% rye, 30% corn, and 6% malted barley. Mystery solved!

So, now we know that this rye was originally distilled for Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and was presumably intended to become Nelson Brothers Rye. It’s not clear why these barrels wound up on the market. However, one thing is certain: Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Rye is kosher. Now, you might think all whiskey is kosher, but that’s not always the case. However, we’ll save that discussion for another time.

Tasting Notes – Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Single Barrel Rye Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Tart orange and lime citrus, sweet mandarin oranges, sweet plums, rye spices, mildly sweet, touch of dark caramel, mild cedar; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Mildly sweet; tangerines, mild rye spices, light caramel, black tea, hints of oak
👉🏻Finish: Mild white pepper spice, lingering citrus and rye spices, mild simple syrup sweetness; dry later on; mild dry wood and char; long, pleasant warmth

The nose of Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Rye offers an intriguing balance of tart and sweet citrus. On the tart side are limes and sharp orange notes, while the sweeter side features mandarin oranges. A layer of sweet stone fruit–perhaps ripe plums–adds depth and richness. A touch of dark caramel rounds things out, accompanied by noticeable but not overpowering rye spices, led by cloves, with mild cedar in the background. The alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof.

On the palate, Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Rye starts off mildly sweet, with notes of simple syrup, light caramel, and sweet tangerines, balanced once again by tart orange. Mild rye spices follow, along with a subtle hint of black tea and oak. These flavors carry into the finish, where white pepper becomes more prominent, and the mouthfeel gradually turns dry. The finish is long, ending with notes of mild dry wood, barrel char, and a deep, lingering warmth.

This rye showcases classic rye character with a unique and appealing mix of sweet and tart citrus, complemented by just the right amount of spice and white pepper. The combination of both tart and sweet citrus is somewhat unusual in a rye, but here it works remarkably well.

Conclusion

Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Single Barrel Rye is a flavorful and complex pour that will appeal to fans of bold citrus-forward ryes. While it retains many hallmark rye characteristics, the added dimension of both sweet and tart citrus, along with sweet stone fruits, elevates the experience. The dry finish, with a pleasant degree of white pepper spice combined with a drier mouthfeel, provides a satisfying close that invites another sip. As this is a single barrel whiskey, your results may vary, however this rye should please those seeking flavor, complexity, and balance in their pour. Cheers!🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Bourbon Rabbi 8 Year Single Barrel Rye review! If you would like to read about another whiskey from this brand, check out my Bourbon Rabbi Honey Finished Bourbon Review!

NOTE: This bottle was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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