Review: TX Whiskey Experimental Series Straight Rye Whiskey Full Proof

Out of Fort Worth comes another experimental release from TX Whiskey, the 16th total in their series, and the second so far this year. We previously reviewed Experimental Series #15, which was a rye/bourbon blend with the latter portion finished in Vino de Naranja barrels. The latest release is a Texas straight rye whiskey, aged for seven years and bottled at a “full proof” of 120, or 60% abv. (Generally, “full proof” refers to a bottling abv that matches the whiskey’s initial barrel entry proof.)

According to TX Whiskey, the impetus behind the release was to showcase “the power of Texas terroir and climate, delivering a bold, full-proof rye shaped by maturation in extreme Southern temperature swings.”

We don’t have a ton more info on this one beyond its age and spirit type, and the mashbill is undisclosed. Just 1,100 bottles will be released in 375mL format, all sold at the distillery’s Whiskey Ranch gift shop, each with a suggested retail price of $40.

Let’s see how it tastes!

TX Whiskey Experimental Series Straight Rye Whiskey Full Proof Review

Aromas kick off with dried orange peel, candied ginger, clove, and wintergreen. There’s more in the realm of both fruit and herbs, but it’s a little tough to pick out more individual notes. Instead, the longer it’s in the glass, the more the whiskey smells like Juicy Fruit gum, perhaps with some chopped dill thrown in. As those scents develop, I can’t help but pick up an underlying — but increasingly potent — whiffs of Pine-Sol and paint thinner, which ultimately add more discord than depth.

For all its proof and advertised potency, a first sip of TX Whiskey’s latest rye is almost puzzlingly subdued. Even after a few sips, the early palate features some cinnamon syrup, a touch of stewed orchard fruit…and not a whole lot else. Things pick up slightly toward the midpalate, with a little black cherry, walnut oil, and more clove. The mid-length finish boasts a touch more spice and a lot more mint. It’s the nicest part of a sip that drinks far (far) below its proof. I experimented with varying levels of dilution, but ultimately, it only served to water down flavors that were already a bit too quiet.

120 proof.

B- / $40 (375ml)

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