George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend Rye Whiskey 100 Proof

George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend Rye Whiskey is a 100-proof blend of two ryes: Cascade Hollow’s own column-still rye (the first rye distilled there, after years of MGP sourcing) and Leopold Bros.’ Three Chamber Rye from Denver. Todd Leopold rebuilt a pre-Prohibition three-chamber still to pull oils and florals a column still misses; that side is about four years old, mashed from Colorado Abruzzi rye and Leopold floor malt. Nicole Austin’s column rye rounds the herbal still into something you can actually drink. A strong pick for sipping with friends.

Lavender, rose, and elderflower lead, with maple, marshmallow, and cocoa underneath. The palate is rosewater, blackberry, fig, citrus, and caramel rather than a blast of baking spice, and the finish is Earl Grey, honey, and cocoa over toasted oak. It drinks floral and tea-like at 100 proof — the Three Chamber character, made friendly by the Tennessee column rye.