If you've been hunting for a high-proof whiskey that doesn't break the bank, you've most likely stumbled across the old ezra 7 year rye sitting down around the shelf with its distinct natural label. It's a single of those containers that catches your eye because it looks like some thing plucked out of a 1920s pharmacy, yet it packages the present day punch of a barrel-strength spirit. I finally obtained my hands on the bottle recently, and after spending several quality time along with it, I thought it was worth breaking down what's actually going upon inside that glass.
For those who aren't familiar with the particular lineage, Old Ezra is a brand name underneath the Lux Row Distillers umbrella. Whilst they've been producing a massive name for themselves along with their 7-year barrel-strength bourbon, this rye is a relatively newer addition to the family. This follows a comparable blueprint: age it for seven yrs, bottle it from a hefty evidence, and keep the price point reasonable enough that you don't feel guilty flowing a second glass upon a Tuesday evening.
The Specifications and First Impressions
The first thing you observe about the old ezra 7 year rye is the proof. It sits in 117 (58. 5% ABV), which is right in that "Goldilocks" zone for me. It's high enough to bring a lot of flavor and a thick mouthfeel, but not so high that it seems like you're consuming liquid fire.
The crush bill is the classic 95% rye and 5% malted barley. If all those numbers sound familiar, it's because it's the iconic Indiana rye recipe (often related with MGP). However, Lux Row adds their own turn by charcoal blocking the spirit before it hits the particular barrel. They call it "charcoal mellowing, " that is a technique usually associated with Tn whiskey, but here it's utilized to refine a bold rye. Does it actually make a difference? We'll enter into that.
The packaging is definitely honestly great. This has great glass base, an actual cork (which always feels more premium), plus that vintage-style label that makes it look like this belongs in the wood-paneled study. Yet even as we all understand, a pretty container doesn't mean significantly if the juice inside is mediocre.
What Will It Smell Like?
After i very first cracked the seal off and poured a dram, the scent jumped right out there of the glass. You don't possess to go hunting for the fragrance here. The immediate note is that will classic rye spice—think black pepper plus cinnamon sticks.
But as soon as it sits with regard to a minute or even two, the old ezra 7 year rye begins to show some sweetness. I get a lot of vanilla bean and a bit of done oak. There's also a very distinct natural quality to it. Some individuals call it "dill, " other people call it "mint, " but in my opinion, it smells such as a brand new herb garden right after the rainstorm. It's bright, zesty, and amazingly complex for the whiskey that "only" has seven many years onto it.
The Taste Test: Diving In
The first sip is how the 117 proof really makes alone known. It's got a great, oily texture that layers your tongue instantly. The initial flavor is usually a massive influx of sweet caramel and honey, which was a little bit of a shock given how hot and spicy the nose was.
As that sweetness ends, the rye essence takes over. It's got a punchy, ginger-snap cookie character mixed with some dark chocolate bitterness. Because it's charcoal television, there's a particular smoothness to the transition between the special and the spicy. It doesn't feel jagged or harsh.
What I actually really enjoy in regards to the old ezra 7 year rye is the balance. Sometimes high-proof ryes could be one-note—just genuine heat and pepper. This feels even more like a complete meal. You get the oak from the seven years within the barrel, the sweetness from the hammer toe (wait, no corn here, just the wooden sugars! ), plus that sharp natural bite that makes rye so very much fun to consume.
The Finish
An excellent rum should linger, and this one definitely sticks around. The conclusion is long and heating. It leaves the taste of dried orange peel and tobacco leaf in your mouth. There's a slight dryness at the very end, which I assume arrives from the maple tannins, but it's not off-putting. It actually makes you need to take one more sip to obtain that sweetness back.
How Does It Compare?
In the entire world of rye rum, there's a lot of competition lately. If you're looking at the particular old ezra 7 year rye , you're probably also looking at things like Crazy Turkey Rare Breed Rye or Jack Daniel's Single Clip or barrel Proof Rye.
Compared to the Rare Breed Rye, the Old Ezra feels a bit more "refined" and slightly much less aggressive on the particular herbal notes. The particular Rare Breed is like a shipping train of taste, while the Old Ezra feels a bit more curated.
Against the Jack port Daniel's Barrel Evidence Rye, the Old Ezra is a bit more traditional. The JD has that massive clown and maple thick syrup profile, whereas the Old Ezra remains true to the herbal, spicy roots of a 95/5 rye mash bill. When you want a "pure" rye expertise with a little bit of extra polish, the Old Ezra is probably the approach to take.
Is It Worth the Money?
Cost is always the sticking point. Depending on where you reside, you'll probably see the old ezra 7 year rye costed anywhere from $60 to $80.
A few years ago, this would have already been a "must-buy" with $50. In today's market, $70 seems about right with regard to a 7-year, barrel-strength product. You're obtaining an age declaration, which is getting rarer these times, and you're obtaining a high evidence that stands up well if you need to include a splash of water or even a large glaciers cube.
I've used this particular in a Manhattan, and honestly, it's almost too good for a drink. It cut through the vermouth like a knife and made for one of the best drinks I've had in a while. But really, this can be a sipper. A person want to consume this neat or with just the tiny drop of water to open up those floral notes.
Final Thoughts
The particular old ezra 7 year rye is a solid, dependable bottle that will delivers exactly exactly what it promises. It's bold, it's spicy, and it offers enough age upon it to sense sophisticated. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it polishes the particular wheel until this shines.
In case you're keen on the 95% rye profile but you need something with a bit more "oomph" than the particular standard 90-proof containers you discover at the grocery store, it is a fantastic step up. It's got personality, it's got the great mouthfeel, and it looks cool on the bar.
Is it the best rye ever made? Probably not. But is this a bottle I'll keep replacing once it runs dried out? Absolutely. There's some thing to be said intended for a whiskey that knows what it is and doesn't try as well hard to end up being another thing. It's just good, honest, high-proof rye, and occasionally that's exactly exactly what you need at the end of a long day.
In case you see it on the shelf plus you're within the fencing, I'd say move for it. Whether you're an experienced rye vet or even someone just starting to explore the spicier side associated with whiskey, this bottle has a lot to offer. Just be careful—that 117 evidence can sneak up on you if you aren't paying attention!