Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye Review

Wheel Horse
Barrel Master Select
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
120.4 Proof (Barrel Proof)
Batch 1
SRP: $39.99 ($43.99 on the Wheel Horse website)
Review by Craig and Cynthia

Please enjoy our Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye Review by Craig and Cynthia!

Background

Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye Batch 1 is the first barrel proof rye whiskey from Wheel Horse. Distilled and primarily matured in Owensboro, Kentucky, the rye was then secondarily aged at Wheel Horse in Rhode Island. The inaugural release is a blend of nine rye (95%) barrels aged between 5 years 8 months and 6 years. The barrels were hand selected by Barrel Master, Stephen Corrigan.

Details – Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye Review

• Producer: Wheel Horse Whiskey
• Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Series: Barrel Master Select
• Age: 5 years 8 months to 6 years
• Blend: 9 barrels (95% rye)
• Distilled: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Maturation: Primarily matured in Kentucky, secondarily at Wheel Horse in Rhode Island
• Filtering: Non-chill filtered
• Proof: 120.4 (Barrel Proof)
• Bottles: 1,800
• SRP: $39.99 ($43.99 on the Wheel Horse website at the time of review)
• Availability: Retailers in about 15 states, online in over 30 states
• Brand Website: wheelhorsewhiskey.com

Tasting Notes – Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Rye Batch 1 Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn

🎨 Color: Dark honey

👉🏻 Nose (Craig): Chai tea, burnt sugar, tart fruit
👉🏻 Nose (Cynthia): Dried apples and chocolate with spices similar to a Mexican hot chocolate

👉🏻 Taste (Craig): Creamy, spiced orange, peppery but sweet.
👉🏻 Taste (Cynthia): Sweet and salty popcorn with hints of pepper

👉🏻 Finish (Craig): Medium long finish
👉🏻 Finish (Cynthia): Medium

Summary

(Craig) – Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye presented a deep, dark honey hue in the glass. The legs were shorter than some other pours, which caused me to have lower expectations for sweetness. On the nose, it immediately evoked hot chai tea layered with burnt raw sugar, followed by a tart fruit note—possibly cherry.

On the palate, the first impression was a creamy mouthfeel accompanied by a spiced orange character. This was followed by a brief rush of delightfully sweet black pepper. The balance between the underlying sweetness and the pepper kept the spice in check, preventing it from becoming overwhelming. The profile then transitioned back into a soft, sweet creaminess.

The finish delivered candied nuts and concluded with a warm, satisfying hug. Overall, this is a very solid and enjoyable rye that I would happily recommend, especially given its reasonable price point.

(Cynthia) – A rich dark honey color is the first thing you notice once you pour the rye into your glass. Give it a swirl and then you see the subtle legs that hint at the secret of what awaits you. The nose is amazing because it opens with a deep cocoa and cinnamon that smells like a hot mug of Mexican hot chocolate. As you let it sit a bit, the smell of sweet, dried apples begins to emerge.

My first sip reminded me that this drinks at 120 proof right at the front of my palate. Then something magical happens as the sip transitions beautifully into a smooth follow-through that wraps you in a comforting Kentucky hug. Each sip after that uncovers a luscious creaminess filled with heavy sweetness.

Conclusion – Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye Review

(Craig) – I was highly impressed with this bottle. I don’t recall experiencing these particular flavors in any rye before, and it also didn’t drink anywhere near the stated 120.4 proof. At only a little over 5 years old, this had the flavors and mouthfeel of a much older rye whiskey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I noticed that Stephen Corrigan was listed as the Barrel Master for two recent reviews I have done, and now I want to dig deeper into his history in the industry to see where else he is or has been involved. Both bottles of his creation that I tried were definite keepers!

(Cynthia) – I am not usually a rye drinker. I often find ryes to be a bit harsh for my taste. This bottle of Wheel Horse Barrel Master Barrel Proof Rye was a game changer for me. The balance between the rye spice and the velvet texture makes this pour an astounding adventure for the senses proving that a non-rye drinker like me can find a bottle to enjoy.

We hope you have enjoyed our Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Rye Review by Craig and Cynthia! Next, read these related reviews: Wheel Horse Narragansett Baltic Porter Beer Barrel Finished Bourbon Review, Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Bourbon Review and Wheel Horse Bourbon 101 Review.

Note: This bottle was graciously provided by the brand for our review. We appreciate it!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!