Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey Review

Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey
Rare Character Whiskey Company
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
101 Proof
SRP: $59.99
Review

Please enjoy my Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey Review!

“Introducing your new go-to cocktail rye” – Rare Character

Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey, produced by Rare Character, is distilled, aged and bottled in Kentucky. Aged for a minimum of seven years and bottled at 101 proof, this release represents “the first readily available product from Rare Character made for cocktails, pouring and enjoying!”

Named after the rugged hillsides where rye naturally thrives, Hurst Knoll draws inspiration from both the landscape and the grain itself. Developed under the guidance of blender and veteran bartender Pablo Moix, the whiskey was crafted to balance structure, spice, and versatility, making it suitable for classic cocktails, modern riffs as well as sipping neat.

Details

• Brand: Rare Character
• Whiskey Name: Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey
• Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Proof: 101
• Age: Aged at least 7 years
• Distilled: Kentucky
• Aged: Kentucky
• Bottled: Lexington, Kentucky
• SRP: $59.99

Tasting Notes – Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻 Nose: Tart limes up front; rye spices like cloves; moderately sweet with sweet caramel; hints of honey and floral notes; alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Mildly sweet at first, with tart limes and hints of spearmint; caramel; rye spices increase later on
👉🏻 Finish: Mild lingering sweetness; continuing rye spices with increasing white pepper spice; mild char toward the end; fairly long, with a pleasant warmth and lasting spice

Summary – Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey Review

Overall, this is a pleasant rye that works well both neat and in cocktails. When sipped neat, it is a citrus-forward rye, with tart limes present from the start. There’s a moderate sweetness, as well, mainly from caramel. The rye spices—primarily cloves—are present, but more restrained in the nose, and become more noticeable later on in the palate and in the finish. There is quite a bit of white pepper spice in the finish. All in all, Hurst Knoll Rye has characteristic rye flavors, albeit of the citrus-forward variety, but with a very enjoyable sweetness and balance.

Since I believe Hurst Knoll Rye is mainly intended for cocktails, I tried it in two different ones. First, I made the Boulevardier recipe on the brand website. At the proportions provided, which coincidentally are the same ones that I traditionally use, the flavors melded together beautifully. Next, I made one of my classic honey old fashioneds. Again, the flavors blended together very well and made for a quite enjoyable cocktail. Neither cocktail was particularly rye forward, which I found a little surprising given Hurst Knoll’s 101 proof. That is in part due to this rye’s slightly lighter flavors and the fact that Rare Character was very successful in creating a rye that blends very well with other ingredients.

Conclusion

Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey delivers familiar rye character with a citrus-forward lean, growing rye spices and white pepper that builds in the finish. While it is enjoyable neat, its real strength lies in how comfortably it settles into classic cocktail recipes, providing complementary flavors without overpowering the mix. For those looking for a rye that performs reliably behind the bar while still offering a pleasant sipping experience, Hurst Knoll fits that role well, although, I would lean towards using it in cocktails. Have you tried Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Hurst Knoll Rye Whiskey review! Next, why not read about other related whiskeys: Rare Character Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 1 Review and Fortuna Bourbon Review.

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

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