When the Baltimore Whiskey Company released their first batch of Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye, a batch made from of just 2 barrels, on St. Paddy’s day 2018 it sold out almost immediately; in Baltimore, they’re kind of a big deal. The next release, this bottle, consisted of a blend of only 6 barrels… now those are some small batches.
We’ll dig into the review in a second, but before we do I want to congratulate these folks on their accomplishment. It’s not easy to get a distillery going and it’s even less easy to do it with a 100% rye whiskey that was fully aged in 53-gallon barrels. That’s some dedication and perseverance and if this second batch is any indication of what they’re capable of, I’m excited to see where the future takes them.
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Baltimore Whiskey Company’s Words: Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye
“We have been producing Baltimore Epoch Straight Rye Whiskey since opening week in November 2015. The mash bill of Epoch Rye consists of about 70% rye grain and 30% rye malt. Pot-distilled using old-world craftsmanship, this rye whiskey is the first rye to be produced within the city limits of Baltimore nearly since the Prohibition era. Our entire stock has been aging exclusively in 53-gallon new charred American Oak – no corners cut. Every drop was produced in house.”
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Maryland, USA
Distiller: Baltimore Whiskey Company
Mash Bill: 70% Rye, 30% Rye Malt
Cask: New Charred Oak (53 gallon)
Age: 2 Years
ABV: 50%
Price: $50*
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye Tasting Notes
EYE
Honey caramel
NOSE
Dried dark fruit, cocoa, tobacco, spice, sandalwood and a bits of raw wood and and herbal underpinning.
PALATE
Raw wood, cocoa, tobacco, fruit, toffee, spice, piney herbal and a bit of nuts and char.
FINISH
Medium -> Herbal pine, raw wood, fruit, char.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body, and a bit hot and bitey.
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye Review: OVERALL
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye shows a lot of promise. Right now it’s obviously young and a bit raw, but with a strong sense of character. The fruity sweetness and raw wood characters will die down with age and underlying complexities will come out and enhance with age. The amount of spice and bite this whiskey has would make it a great candidate for cocktails now and hopefully in a couple more years I’ll be saying it makes a great sipping whiskey.
SCORE: 80/100 (B-)
*Disclosure: This Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye Review
- Nose - 81
- Palate - 80
- Finish - 79
- Balance, Body & Feel - 80
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye Review Summary
Epoch Baltimore Straight Rye is decent, would make a good cocktail and shows promise of being a balanced sipping whiskey in a few more years.
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