Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled at 90 proof from a mash of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, contract-distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company and not chill-filtered. Gregg Snyder runs the column still at 120 proof and the doubler at 130, with barrel entry at 120, so the grain is not stripped out. The barrels are tight-grain Appalachian oak, toasted medium-plus and given a level 3 char, with a lighter char on the heads. It is aged at least 2 years, which leaves spearmint and lemon in the glass.

Spearmint and lemon lead, with white pepper, vanilla, and a little honey. The mouthfeel is lightly creamy and thin. The finish is a delicate pepper, with the mint still in it.