This whiskey forms part of the core range of innovative American/UK brand Never Say Die. The spirit has a specific mash bill of 56% rye, 33% corn and 11% malted barley. The rye sits alongside two bourbons in the range – the Small Batch and Barrel Strength. Never Say Die’s spirits are distilled in Kentucky at an unnamed distillery. The only clue given is that the place has a ‘keen focus on yeast’.
The Never Say Die brand is named after a legendary horse. He was born in poor health (and is said to have improved after drinking a dram of whiskey) but battled to become a successful race horse. Never Say Die was an American born thoroughbred that was later trained in the UK. He won only one of his first nine races, but then triumphed in The Derby at Epsom in 1954. He was the first American colt to win the race for over 70 years and later added a second Brit classic later that year – the St. Leger Stakes.
The spirit, both bourbon and rye, are produced via column stills and matured in the USA for a period. Then it is shipped in barrel to the United Kingdom where it undergoes a secondary maturation. This takes place at the White Peak distillery in Derbyshire. As it travels via the sea the whiskey is moved around inside the barrel at an increased rate. This adds an extra dimension of taste and character.
Never Say Die Rye Whiskey is bottled at 52.5% ABV and is non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The bottling is available in the UK and other European markets, and can be found in selected specialist whisky retailers. A bottle of this NSD Rye will cost around £67.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep russet gold and the nose is rich, robust and highly aromatic. Sweet aromas of toffee, golden syrup and caramel are tempered by those of dark chocolate and warming and dusty wood spice – think of cinnamon bark and clove especially. A distinct fruity aromas is also evident, which is reminiscent of dried red apple and maraschino cocktail cherry.
On the palate this whiskey feels bold, spicy and rich with a distinct decadent quality. The juicy marachino cherry and dark chocolate notes rise first, but are quickly joined by the gripping and warming wood spices. Freshly sawn oak notes (or is it pencil shavings?) combine with powdered cinnamon, white pepper and an antiseptic clove vibe. This evolves to be more reminiscent of mint or menthol with time.
Much needed sweetness comes in the form of golden syrup and toffee-like notes. There is also some fresh vanilla pod and dried orange peel, plus hints of dessicated coconut and cocoa powder. Underneath sit robust rye notes – these accentuate the peppery nature from before and evolve to become a little more yeasty and bread-like.
The finish is long and powerful. The sweet and fruity elements slowly fade to leave the punchy oak and warming spices to play. This has the effect of elongating the mouth feel with a distinct dryness and hot peppery fire contributing to this. A hint of orange oil and bitter cherry come through right at the end.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a big, bold and bruising rye whiskey of the highest quality. The balance of sweetness, robust rye characteristics and intense spice is sublime. This makes it great to drink neat or over ice. That said, the delicious depth of character and complexity makes it superb for mixing in classic rye whiskey cocktails such as a Boulevardier, Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Sazerac. If you are a fan of rye whiskey, or expressive flavours in general, then you need a bottle of this in your drinks cabinet.
