Vanilla frosting | Green apple | Lemon peel | Fresh herbs | Cinnamon spice | Sweet oak

Butterscotch | Ton of red fruits | Vanilla wafer | Orange chocolate | Sugar cookie | Creamy mouthfeel

Honey | Toffee | Caramelized apple | Toasted oak | Leather | Hint of lemon | Lingering baking & rye spices

Washington Lafayette and David Jennings, spirits author and founder of the Wild Turkey blog Rare Bird 101, founded Caleb's Crossing Whiskey Company. This release honors America’s 250th anniversary. According to Jennings, the brand gets its name from his 5th-great-grandfather Caleb Jennings (1759-1816), who served in the Virginia Militia and later in the Regiment of Guards in the Continental Army.

Jennings surprised us earlier this year with Caleb’s Crossing Straight Bourbon & Rye Blend, which was sourced from Green River Distilling and MGP. Despite the whiskey’s familiar origin, Jennings delivered a “complex, well-rounded, and full-flavored experience that successfully leverages the maturity of its high-aged components.” With Caleb’s Crossing 1776-2026 Kentucky Straight Rye, he does it again, and even tops himself in the process.

This time, the whiskey came entirely from Green River Distilling and features their well-received 95/5 rye, plus a experimental 100% rye. But don’t let this part persuade or deter you; the proof is in its sip.

First off, the rye’s aroma is just serviceable at first, but slowly blossoms into something much better if given time to open up. The rye’s palate and finish are where it springs to life, yet it’s not the individual flavors that shine; it’s how well they work together. The rye’s sip is extremely well-executed, delivering an even, semi-creamy consistency. It beautifully rolls out age on top of a uniform flavor profile of lush red fruits, vanilla, orange, and sugar confection that works as a cohesive whole. That's typically not true of most ryes, and some of the best ryes ever made follow this path to greatness.  

Caleb’s Crossing 1776-2026 Kentucky Straight Rye impresses with an elevated sip, even consistency, and flavors delivered with precision and grace. This is certainly a surprise given how new Green River’s rye program is, but sometimes certain barrels can sing and skillful blending can take the barrels to even higher places. This is a standout year for ryes, and Caleb’s Crossing 1776-2026 Kentucky Straight Rye will easily contend for best rye of the year.

The bottle in review is bottle #250 of 370.