Minden Mill Rye Whiskey Review

Minden Mill
Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey
94 Proof
SRP: $44.99
Review

Please enjoy our Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Review!

Minden Mill Distilling, located in Minden, Nevada, within the Carson Valley, is a true “ground to glass” distillery. Currently under the ownership of Foley Family Wines, the distillery is guided by Joe O’Sullivan as its Master Distiller. Prior to this, the distillery operated from 2019-2022 under the name Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, which ceased operations in March 2022. It reopened as Minden Mill Distillery in 2023.

As a member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance, Minden Mill uses estate grown grains and water sourced from their onsite well which is fed by snowpack from the Sierra Nevadas. Distillation takes place in a state-of-the-art Christian CARL hybrid still. Furthermore, all Minden Mill whiskeys are aged in climate controlled rickhouses tied to specific weather stations in whiskey regions that inspired the distiller. For the Minden Mill Rye, that weather station is in Nelson County, KY.

The Specifics

• Mash Bill: 80% Rye, 10% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
• Maturation: Four years in new #3 charred American and French Oak
• 100% Estate Grown, Distilled, Aged and Bottled in Minden, Nevada
• Non-Chill Filtered

Tasting Notes – Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Lime citrus and rye spices, mildly sweet; light oak; brown sugar, lightly burnt dark caramel & vanilla in the background; touch of green tea leaves; alcohol appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Moderately sweet, syrupy sugar, rye spices, lime citrus
👉🏻Finish: Growing white pepper spice; lime citrus and lingering syrupy sweetness; long; white pepper spice, tannins, mild citrus, mild dry oak and barrel char lasting for a very long time

The nose of Minden Mill Rye Whiskey becomes increasingly complex with each sniff and sip. Initially, lime citrus and rye spices are dominant, although there is a sweetness in the background. Gradually, those background flavors define themselves as brown sugar, lightly burnt dark caramel and vanilla. In addition, there is a mild earthiness from green tea leaves. The alcohol vapor is noticeable, but appropriate for the proof.

The taste is much more sweet than the nose, with simple syrup, rye spices and lime citrus. Later on there is growing white pepper spice, with mild lingering syrupy sweetness and lime citrus. In the end, the mouthfeel becomes more dry, with mild dry wood, tannins, white pepper spice, mild citrus and mild barrel char lasting for quite some time. There’s a warmth, not deep in my chest, but rather confined to my mouth and throat.

Conclusion

Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey is a very full flavored rye. However, that’s not in an “in your face”, overly spicy way. It has a complexity, which not unlike the other Minden Mill whiskeys I have tasted, unfolds with time. The nose starts off as unmistakably a rye, however, as time goes on, some notes more frequently associated with bourbon become apparent. These caramel and vanilla flavors must be coming from the barrels, as their is not a kernel of corn in this whiskey. The taste is surprisingly sweet for a rye, but it’s what I have come to expect from this distillery, and adds to the complexity. The sweetness isn’t there for long, though, as the white pepper spice and increasing dryness dominant the finish.

I am very much enjoying this rye. If you are a rye fan and are looking for something with added complexity, you’ll want to give Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye whiskey a try. Have you had it? What did you think?

We hope you have enjoyed our Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye Review! Next, why not learn more about this distillery’s whiskeys by reading our Minden Mill Nevada Straight Bourbon Review and our Minden Mill American Single Malt Review?

NOTE: This bottle has been graciously provided by the distillery for my review. Thank you!

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