Apple | Nectarine | Custard | Light citrus | Rye grain

Applesauce | Orange rind | Agave | Cinnamon | Baking spices | Nice mouthfeel

Sharp rye spice | Black pepper | Punchy seasoned oak | Fleeting spearmint | Slightly dry

Opulent Orchard from New York Distilling Co. is Lost Lantern’s first rye whiskey in their Single Distillery Series. Featuring a blend of three 7 year old ryes, results in a sip that has a good deal of maturity that nicely showcases its seasoned oak throughout. To help offset this, the rye is also finished in apple brandy barrels for an undisclosed amount of time. This amalgam of sweet apple notes of the brandy combined with the baking spices of the rye forms a rather convincing apple pie taste in your mouth. It’s not uncommon for ryes to lean to the favorite fall season flavor profile, but it is quite striking here.

Surprisingly, the whiskey’s finish moves away from the palate’s sweetness and drops its flavors altogether. Instead, sharp rye spice and black pepper move in quickly, creating a distinct separation from what came before. Additionally, punchy seasoned oak notes and spearmint enter, turning the sip slightly dry. It is during the finish that the whiskey drinks hotter than expected and above its 115 proofpoint.

I’m surprised more distilleries haven't turned to finishing rye in apple brandy barrels, as it results in an appealing flavor combination. The quick transition to a contrasting finish proved to be startling. Given the rye’s age, I expected a bit more softness, but this rye doesn’t want to lose its pep willingly.

Lost Lantern Opulent Orchard New York Distilling Co. Apple Brandy Finished Straight Rye is a 410 bottle release.