Red Hots candy | Pumpkin roll | Light oak | Sweet vanilla | Touch of wheat bread | Baking spices | Soft yet inviting

Apple pie | Chinese cinnamon powder | Rye spice | Barrel char | Caramel chews | Building heat

Rye spice | Chewy oak | Leather | Baking spices

Founded in 2008, Middle West Spirits is based out of Columbus, Ohio, and states that they’re “focused on elevating the distinctive flavors of the Ohio River Valley.” The company produces a core offering of bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey, and recently announced a new barrel proof version of each. The company states that “the Dark Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey stands as the first of its kind in North America, with 80% dark pumpernickel rye in its mash bill.” They go on to say that “this rare grain provides a softer spiciness compared to the rye most commonly used in rye whiskey.”

The nose opens without letting on to the whiskey’s proof as soft yet inviting scents waft out of the glass. The midpoint reveals its barrel proof nature, but more in a building way, as initial sweetness first appears, followed by building spicy notes. The sip carries over the spice from the midpoint and ends on a more straightforward note before wrapping things up in short order.

Overall, this is an enjoyable sip from Middle West Spirits that adds a twist of sweetness and controls its proof nicely without ever becoming too overbearing. With only 4 years of aging under its belt, this rye delivers a nice sip, and I’m excited to see its progression as Middle West Spirits gives this line potential additional aging time for future releases.