Since they first began distilling in 2018, Asheville’s Eda Rhyne has constructed a portfolio of spirits distinctive amongst most craft distillers. Their first bottlings centered solely on amari as a substitute of the extra typical vodka and gin (though they received round to the latter ultimately). That strategy was rooted in a want to highlight the Appalachian heritage of domestically crafted medicinal spirits that of their opinion deserved as a lot, if no more, consideration than moonshine. On the very least, it was extra attention-grabbing to drink. Nonetheless, Eda Rhyne by no means meant to fully ignore whiskey. After I first met the house owners in 2018, they had been already speaking about creating an heirloom rye whiskey, plans that ultimately turned The Heirloom Mission. To wit:
The Eda Rhyne Heirloom Mission is our imaginative and prescient and dedication to creating distinctive whiskey whereas defending uncommon and endangered grains. Our conventional double pot distilled methodology captures the distinctive flavors of those grains nearly forgotten by time.
We additionally assist protect these fantastic heirlooms by supporting farmers which have stored these grains alive.
Our first launch shall be Eda Rhyne’s Uncommon Grain Rye Whiskey, which captures the wealthy, nutty taste of Seashore Black Rye. This distinctive heirloom grain was launched to the USA within the 1830’s however as of 2016, it grew in maybe as few as 5 farms within the South, primarily as a canopy crop.
The corn within the Rye Whiskey mash invoice is much more uncommon. Conor Household Corn is an heirloom selection saved from extinction by one household within the mountains of Japanese Tennessee. We’re honored to be the primary industrial distiller to make use of this single supply grain.
5 lengthy years later, a restricted quantity of Uncommon Grain Rye whiskey is lastly coming to market, in North Carolina solely, with extra presumably to observe. We obtained samples of the primary two rye expressions on supply. Ideas observe.
Eda Rhyne Uncommon Grain Rye Single Barrel – The aroma is rustic and brooding with candy, cooked grain, chocolate mint, campfire ash, and burnt caramel. A lacing of soppy baking spice and delicate black pepper add some heat, whereas the oak, recent and youthful, layers on a large serving to of barrel char and pencil shavings. The palate is heat and oily with darkish rye spice, clove, and baking chocolate. A potent, peppery heat extends throughout the sip and simmers on the end with black bread, molasses, and Skinny Mint cookies. Rye tends to develop up sooner within the barrel, however even at 5 years outdated this nonetheless feels fairly spritely. Nonetheless, it’s not with out numerous promising depth and distinctive complexity. 108 proof. B+ / $23 (200ml bottle)
Eda Rhyne Uncommon Grain Rye Fernet Barrel – Completed for an unspecified interval in an Appalachian Fernet cask. The ending cask has actually had its means with the aroma, imbuing it with thick notes of licorice, recent ginger, and walnut skins. Because it opens, a little bit of darkish rye spice pokes by way of with some peppercorn and refined wintergreen, but it surely’s a far totally different expertise than the usual single barrel. Ditto for the palate which unfolds in silky waves of gentian and candied ginger, tons of clove, and minted easy syrup. There’s a roundness to the expertise that the usual rye lacked, and people youthful oak notes have been properly sanded down, revealing butterscotch, cinnamon stick, and dry tobacco. The end is lengthy and heat with menthol and cardamom. Nearly a cocktail by itself, however the mixing potential appears countless. Time could inform a unique story for the usual Uncommon Grain Rye, however at current, this mix of Eda Rhyne’s two spirits passions is the one to hunt out. 111 proof. A- / $60 (200ml bottle)
Eda Rhyne Uncommon Grain Rye Fernet Barrel
$60
