The Very Olde St. Nick – 15 year Ancient Rye was the second VOSN we tried at the SoCal Whiskey Club tasting and tasting it next to the Many Summer’s Old there was an immediate and olfactory filling difference between the two when it comes to spice level. I don’t know what the mash bills of any of the VOSNs are, but I would really like to know if it’s all the same for their entire rye line up.
One thing I found very interesting about all of the Very Olde St. Nick Rye whiskeys is how they are proofed. The Many Summers is 80 proof, this is 86, the Rare Perfection is 86 and then the 17 is 103.7 and the 18 is 104.6. It’s interesting because as they get older the proof goes up which to be honest is a concept I like and is a concept I think more of the industry should adopt. Delivering a higher proof (when possible) to go along with the higher price as it gets older = more worth your money in my book. Older, and more expensive, whiskeys should be cask strength. Simple as that.
Very Olde St. Nick – 15 year Ancient Rye Review
ABV: 43%
Age:15 years
Price: NA – Prices vary due to rarity (Japan export)
Bottler: The Kulsveens
EYE
Dark Caramel
NOSE
The spice has been kicked up a few notches from it’s Many Summer’s Old predecessor and I’m enjoying what’s happening here a bit more. There are still a lot of sweet notes like butterscotch, caramel, toffee, raw sugar, molasses and maple syrup however there are also some spicier and earthier notes like caraway seed, wood, a weak dill and avery mild medical astringency here too. A very interesting nose.
PALATE
Here the rye spice seems to be in a dead heat with the butterscotch notes with a whole Wacky Races of dark fruit, wood, caramel, astringency, vanilla and fennel seed happening behind them. Intriguing,
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Again this one sways a little far into the sweet category for me to call it balanced, but the savory spice and rye notes help keep it from toppling over. Medium body with a silken texture make it very easy to sip.
FINISH
A long drive of caramel, citrus, dark fruit, rye, wood and a light astringent bite.
OVERALL
I like it. It didn’t blow my socks off by any means, but I still liked it and wouldn’t mind having a bottle around the house at all. The sweet and spicy nose, palate and finish still doesn’t fully read rye to me, but it does so more than the Many Summer’s Old for sure. I enjoy getting more of that rye spice kick, but I still wish there was a bit more of it.
SCORE: 84-88/100 (range given due to having it at a tasting and not in a controlled environment)
