About Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey
The origins of rye whiskey in the United States date back to colonial America, when early European settlers brought with them the tradition of distilling excess grains from their farms into whiskey. For over a century, the production of rye whiskey centered around Pennsylvania and Maryland, where large numbers of Scottish and Irish immigrants had settled. The popularity of rye whiskey grew steadily among the colonists, and when the British blockade of American ports during the American Revolutionary War prevented the importation of rum, rye whiskey became America's drink of choice.
Inspired by America’s rich rye heritage, the late great Robert Cooper, a third-generation distiller, crafted Lock Stock and Barrel 16 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey using some stock he held back from Lock Stock’s 2012 release of their 12 year old rye. One of the few who single-handedly transformed the cocktail world when he released St. Germain in 2007, Cooper passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of just 39, leaving this release bittersweet.
Lock Stock & Barrel Limited Release 16 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled from a rare 100% rye mash. The rye is grown in the Pacific Northwest, where only grains that exhibit the perfect combination of weight, plumpness and rich, earthy fragrance are harvested. After the grains have been milled and mashed, they are fermented before being double distilled through a copper pot still. Following distillation, the rye is aged in cold weather for sixteen years in new charred American oak casks before being bottled unfiltered at 107 proof.
“We tasted many barrels in our extensive collection of aged, straight rye whiskey and culled the finest that have matured to 16 years old,” said Cooper in a statement before his death. “Lock Stock & Barrel 16 is that rare but true combination of the finest whiskey and the best techniques. Winning the highest honors at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition further validates the integrity of what we put into every bottle.”
The flavors of are Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year are somewhat more intense and concentrated than the 13-year-old’s, but with less of an oaky aroma than the age might suggest. Lock Stock & Barrel is a tightly woven fabric of aromatics including black pepper, chocolate, vanilla, and spice cake. The fruit-forward palate balances leather, oak, pinewood and needles with wild cherries, stewed blackberry, dried pear and sassafras. The fruitiness carries through the palate to the finish, where it is joined by warm notes of molasses, anise, and pepper. It blooms beautifully with a half-teaspoon of water added, though it remains flavorful and intense, yet perfectly balanced when neat.
Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year was awarded the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016. With production limited to 3,000 cases, it likely won’t be available for long.
Pick up a bottle today!
About Rye
As American as the bald eagle, rye whiskey was first brewed in the American Northeast in the 1600s. Even George Washington distilled it after leaving the Oval Office, so there’s no way of denying its origin.
It’s distinguished from bourbon for its original and unique spicy notes.
By law, rye whiskey must be made from at least 51% rye grain, aged in new and charred oak barrels for at least two years, and bottled at no more than 62,5% ABV.
Check out our impressive selection of rye whiskeys, find your new favorites in The best-reviewed rye whiskeys, and explore our treasury of Best rye bottles under $100.
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