Hannah’s Noble Oak Double Oak Rye Review
Original review written January 25, 2022
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A similar pour to A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 9 and considerably cheaper, I think it’s a good pour and one I’d consider buying again should the mood for a special finish rye take me. 83/100
I will say that I am learning that while I really enjoy ryes as a whole, special finish ryes may not entirely be for me. I much prefer a straight up peppery freshness rather than a sweetness that melds into the rye quality without standing on its own. Nevertheless, this is good and I won’t have difficulty reaching for it and finishing this bottle. Will I buy another? Perhaps. So do take this into consideration going forward in my thoughts!
VITALS:
– Made In: Indiana, USA
– Distiller: unpublished; likely MGP Ingredients
– Bottled By: Noble Oak in Newton, Ohio, USA
– Classification: Finished Rye Whiskey; Special Finish
– Finished with Port Oak Barrel Staves
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: unpublished
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 48% (96 proof)
– Price: $39.95 USD in Idaho in 2021
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ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this rye here!
SETTING:
I see enjoying this one indoors and in a cozy corner with some candles around. Maybe you’re even in a boutique with candles and warm scents. The elevated flavors of this Noble Oak will pair with the aromas around you and help you settle into the atmosphere. It doesn’t have to be feminine – sometimes staring at a solitary flame with a good pour is all it takes for a bit of peace of mind.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
NOSE:
Acetone like fingernail polish remover hits the nose first, followed by old books and a bit of citrus zest. I can detect some shoe polish and leather as well, making this come across as almost a snobby kind of expensive. There is not much fruit, aside from some gourmet raisins and currants. Oak is certainly apparent also, both in a freshly sawn and old, distressed sense. Deep draws can pull some baked, apple pastry, like a pie – complete with a sprinkling of cinnamon, but this cinnamon is very minimal.
The alcohol is incredibly mild, and it’s nearly impossible to burn yourself on this one if you know what you’re doing.
Most interestingly, I find this nose quite similar to Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 9 Scene 4, which Dad and I reviewed a little less than two months ago.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: This has an initially raspy texture across the palate, but it does soften slightly.
– Balance: Fair. I don’t think anything stands out awkwardly necessarily, but sweetness from a finish with a rye is always a strange adjustment for my taste buds.
– Visual: Carrot in color, there are many thick and fast dropping legs. Any remaining essence of a crown quickly changes to clinging droplets, and they do linger for some time.
– Taste: I think the shoe polish and leather from the nose cross the palate first, along with a distinct rye bread. With this rye bread are more gourmet raisins which create a bit of acidity. The raisins lend themselves further to a fruit leather component, which darkens and sweetens the sip quite a lot. There is a hint of rosemary to pair with a lemon zest that comes at the back of the palate, making this element both fresh and slightly bitter.
Like the Midwinter Night’s Dram, I can taste a bit of a tea element to this rye, but it isn’t as strong. Instead, it gives the palate a gentle lift, letting the other flavors play off of each other more. Wood exists also with the tea, but I’m not entirely convinced that it is an oak. In fact, I am struggling to pin down exactly what wood it is. This is naturally, somewhat surprising as this whiskey does have “double oak” in its name.
The alcohol is still very mild, and in fact barely noticeable. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the alcohol wakes up slightly, and I get a little more wood, but not much else.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Long. I wouldn’t say the warmth necessarily lingers the longest; however, there is an aftertaste present for some time after the sip is gone.
– Between Sips: I don’t get baked apples; however, I do taste some cooked apples. Some of the crispness is still there, and there seems to be a cinnamon syrup drizzle over them – like a chutney. I love this aspect of this whiskey.
– No More: Consistent throughout the glass, I don’t think there is anything new to report here except that the aftertaste continues to grow on me.
The empty Glencairn smells almost identical to the original nose above, which is somewhat surprising. I’m certainly used to finding some woody aspect in an empty glass, and I find myself missing that component here.
WORTH THE PRICE?
While simpler than Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 9, this still is something you could conceivably turn to if you wanted an idea as to how that spirit drank. Given that it’s approximately half of the price of that rye, I’d say comfortably this is very much worth it. I don’t know if I like it enough to feel the need to constantly keep it on hand, but if I was in the mood, I wouldn’t feel bothered at all reaching for it and paying $40 USD.
NOBLE OAK DOUBLE OAK RYE REVIEW RATING: 83/100
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