Age: 2yr, 10mo

Proof: 117.7 proof

Mash Bill: 100% Texas Rye

Bottle count: 192 bottles

Tasting Notes: The nose is silky, citrusy, spiced and fresh - perfect for the transitional seasons to come - lemon and orange zest, crisp sweet mint, and cooked brown sugar continuing to grow.

The palate begins full and dense with fresh pepper and citrus blasts, but quickly grows plush and creamy surrounding. Lemon cream pie, key lime pie, fruit preserves, and lasting with clove, pepper, and ginger nipping around the sides of the mouth.

The finish continues the tingling spices and citrus from both the nose and palate, but begins to settle into darker berries, dark chocolate ganache, and warming toasted oak as it moves through the long finish.

Seelbach's Story: Still Austin is producing some of our favorite whiskey right now - not just craft whiskey - but some of our favorite whiskey on the market. Their Bottled-in-Bond Series continues to offer some of our favorite expressions of theirs, but we got back from visiting this Texas distillery with even more excitement for them, in part due to these picks we have to share with you today. You may remember us noting in November, this is the first time we've seen Still Austin single barrels at their full proof, not proofed to 116 proof. After our last round of picks we can no longer say this is our first single barrel rye pick, though we can say it is truly an excellent barrel if you are a rye lover, or a fan of what Still Austin is doing in general. The bourbon, while their standard recipe of 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley, has a bit more punch of fruit and oak from our last pick and tons of butterscotch on the nose - I was a fan of this barrel through the whole selection process. 
 
What initially got us excited about Still Austin was their use of the slow water reduction process. This is done in brandy or rum. Instead of waiting until a barrel is dumped to proof it down, Still Austin slowly adds water to the barrels over many years. This process allows the more subtle flavors to remain intact. It also increases the extraction of caramel and vanilla notes. These compounds are more soluble in water. The tasting notes on these barrels reinforce this practice.