The third annual release of the Absinthe Barrel Finished Rye has been unveiled by Kentucky Peerless. The official release will take place at the Peerless distillery at 120 North 10th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 on Saturday, October 29 from 10am to 12pm. The bottles will be available on a first-come-first-served basis and bottle signings will be offered throughout the day.
The expression was first released in 2020 and after its success, Peerless decided to add the rye to its regular offering.
The Absinthe Barrel Finished Rye is a combination of warm spices and herbal notes, created by exposing Peerless whiskey to two separate casks to allow for two full barrel extractions. The Peerless tasting team strategically selects barrels that are complemented well by the extra barrel character.
“I wanted something that would provide the perfect contrasting notes to allow both the rye and the absinthe to be appreciated. Bold, exciting, intriguing, and bursting at the seams with flavor, this crossover is the perfect example of what a few artisans with big ambitions can accomplish when they come together,” explains Caleb Kilburn, master distiller.
Peerless Absinthe Barrel Finished Rye has a fragrance of sweet candied licorice, then aromas of citrus and sweet oak soon join. The first taste is spicy oak, cinnamon, and absinthe. Orange zest and sweet grasses continue to add depth as the palate evolves. A second sip introduces more rye, as earthy leather and tobacco become more prominent. The finish pays homage to the Sazerac cocktail.
Find out more at kentuckypeerless.com or visit the distillery at 120 N. 10th Street in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open for tours and tastings by reservation Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm.
Pingback: 50 years of Steve Nally - American Whiskey Magazine