Review: 15 Stars Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye

We’ve covered plenty of premium bourbon blends from Bardstown-based, non-distilling producer 15 Stars but only one rye whiskey to date. Today, we can add a second to the list with this latest offering, Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye. The six-year-old First West Rye blend that we sampled last year looks pretty pedestrian on paper when compared to this mix of 8, 9, 13, and 14-year-old rye whiskeys sourced from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Let’s see how all that well-aged rye comes together, shall we?

15 Stars Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye Review

The aroma is bright and fresh, suggesting perhaps less of the teenaged rye in the mix. Whether or not that’s the case, there’s still a nice balance here and plenty to admire with top notes of bruised mint and mintd syrup that give way to budding undertones of oak – sweet sawdust, cedar, and a little teak oil – all balanced with soft pie spice and, with time to open, a hint of dark berries in syrup.

The palate is bolder, opening with energetic rye spice. Initially, things are grassy and green before shifting rather quickly to notes of sweet stone fruit and citrus. The fruit notes become a little tart on the midpalate alongside a lacing of sharper, new oak, but otherwise the conclusion here is sweet and warming, giving way to a finish of caramel candies and cinnamon RedHots followed by a classic, lingering fadeout of cracked black pepper, clove, and mint. “Fine Aged” it may all be, but this one doesn’t drink with quite the same maturity as, say, a Michter’s 10 Year Old Rye or even the recent Bulleit 12 Years Old. Still, it’s an enjoyable whiskey worthy of a savored neat pour or an indulgent, pricey cocktail.

95 proof.

A- / $140

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