Review: Larrikin Single Barrel Rye 9 Years Old

Larrikin Bourbon Co. was founded by Greg Neeley, a former officer in both the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy. The name comes from an Australian term with a long history. During the 1860s and 1870s, “larrikin” referred to a young hooligan or troublemaker, often associated with working-class men, drinking, fighting, and a general disregard for authority. By the early 20th century, the word had taken on a more affectionate meaning. The archetypal larrikin became the irreverent Australian who disliked pretension, authority, and excessive formality. Mischievous and independent, the larrikin was not necessarily malicious.

During World War I, the image became closely associated with the Australian soldier, particularly members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Australian troops were portrayed as rough, irreverent, resourceful, and willing to challenge authority. The larrikin became a more positive figure, representing someone willing to take an unconventional route to get the job done.

Based in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Larrikin Bourbon Co. has built a following through releases sourced from an assortment of distilleries. In the summer of 2026, the company released Larrikin Single Barrel Rye Whiskey 9 Years Old, distilled and aged in Bardstown, Kentucky. The whiskey was made from a mashbill of 64% rye, 30% corn, and 6% malted barley.

The origin of the rye remains officially undisclosed, but there is a connection to Nelson’s Green Brier. In 2016, Nashville’s Nelson’s Green Brier contracted Bardstown Bourbon Company to distill this exact mashbill. The resulting barrel heads were stamped “Belle Meade Rye” and “DSP KY-20037.”

The Nelson family resurrected the Belle Meade Bourbon brand in 2012 at Nelson’s Green Brier, using a mashbill of 64% corn, 30% rye, and 6% malted barley. In that recipe, the corn and rye percentages are reversed from those found in Larrikin’s rye whiskey.

Despite the “Belle Meade Rye” markings on the barrel heads, Belle Meade Rye was never released under that name. Nelson Brothers Straight Rye, however, uses the same mashbill. The house brand from Nelson’s Green Brier first appeared in 2023 and was bottled at 92.5 proof.

At 9 years old and 122.5 proof, Larrikin’s Single Barrel Rye brings additional age and considerably more proof to the same foundation represented by Nelson Brothers Straight Rye.

So, what does Larrikin’s nine-year-old rye bring to the glass?

Larrikin Single Barrel Rye 9 Years Old (2026) Review

The nose opens with a clear impression of orange Jell-O, followed by fresh sourdough bread that remains present in the glass. Given more time, fresh mint appears, followed later by under-ripe plums. It is one of the more interesting rye whiskey noses I’ve experienced in quite some time, even if its overall potency is somewhat limited.

That lack of potency on the nose is not an issue on the palate. Tangerine arrives immediately, followed by cinnamon as the citrus subsides. The mid-palate then moves toward Sour Patch Kids candy and glazed yeast donuts, with the latter tying back nicely to the sourdough note found on the nose. The palate is considerably more expressive than the nose suggests, offering far more intensity and range than the initial aroma might lead you to expect.

The finish brings ginger and an ever so slight touch of maple syrup before moving into the hot bite of sliced radish. That radish note quickly gives way to the sweet citrus profile of Sunny Delight orange drink.

For those who enjoy bright, zesty rye whiskeys, the palate and finish deliver exactly what you are looking for, all without the amount of oak influence one might expect from the age statement. In the mouth, the whiskey has medium viscosity and plenty of flavor. I simply wish the nose offered a little more expression to match what follows.

122.5 proof.

A- / $120

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