Lip Service - Straight Rye Whiskey - Single Barrel Cask Strength
$45
Lip Service – Straight Rye Whiskey – Single Barrel Cask Strength
Collection: Barrel – 151212-4
Proof: 118
Age: 3 Years
Distillery: Savage & Cooke
Type: Straight Rye Whiskey – Finished in Merlot Puncheons
Mash: (Assumed) – 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Malted Barley
Website: Savage & Cooke
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: The first things that hits you on the nose is Dark Fruits which is not a surprise given it’s finished in Merlot Puncheons. What did surprise me was that hidden behind the initial dark fruits there’s much lighter fruits emerge – Pear, Peaches, and Apricot. Usually it’s one or the other. The nose is fruit dominant but there’s another layer behind that which brings All Spice, Cinnamon, slight Clove, and a noticeable alcohol heat. The heat did initially hide behind the fruits.
Taste/Palate: The Palate is also initially fruit dominant. The light fruits come forward first. You initially get Apricot and Peach. The Merlot fruits follow with Dark Grapes. Within seconds you can pick up Clove in the midpalate.
Finish: On the finish there is noticeable alcohol heat. That is not a surprise for a 3 year cask strength rye. It tingles the tongue while the dram finishes with mild Barrel Char, Fresh Leather, and Green Tea.
Verdict: This one is all over the place. I don’t mean that in a bad way. I like balance, but this one takes you on a roller coaster. You get Dark Fruits, Light Fruits, Mature Notes, Spices, and classic rye characteristics. If someone was new to Whiskey I would not offer them this one neat. If you are into Ryes, Cask Strength, and something that’s not typical this might be right up your alley. Barrel Bourbon Seagrass comes to mind. This versus a High Rye such as 4 Roses – Barrel Strength – 35% Rye, for example this is much more harsh, but the flavor profile is much more pronounced. The Flavors punch you in a face a little bit, but there’s a lot going on there where I have no problem putting on my seal of approval. My disclaimer is above, but I give it 2 thumbs up.
The Story: My parents were coming to visit me. They are very well aware of my Bourbon Review site. They stopped at one of my spots in Indiana and facetimed me what was on display in the bourbon aisle. I asked them to pick up me up something (review coming this week) and my parents surprised me with something that I saw on the video call, but “passed”. They decided to grab me this one because it looked interesting and it was their gift for staying the weekend. I would have passed on this one, but I’m glad it was “forced” on me. Turned out I liked it a great deal and am glad to give it a go.
This is the cask strength – single barrel offering of Lip Service. The standard is 90 proof and blended in small batches. I will have to visit the standard offering and compare it to the single barrel cask strength reviewed here. I will update this review in the future for basis of comparison.
The Distillery’s Story: “The Savage & Cooke distillery, owned by Napa Valley winemaker Dave Phinney, is located on historic Mare Island and opened in 2018. The decision to locate the distillery on Mare Island was due to its fascinating history as a naval shipyard, the plethora of space, stunning brownstone buildings and its proximity to both the Napa Valley and San Francisco. Savage & Cooke distills, ages, finishes and bottles a range of brown spirits including Bourbon, Whiskey and Rye.”
“Dave crafts offerings in the style that he appreciates most; complex flavors, concentration, balanced oak influence and lushness. Small batch experimentation with additional spirits takes place on site and is offered for tasting exclusively at the distillery. These offerings will change throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you to our distillery.”
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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