Punchy rye | Fennel | Cherry cola | Robust

Rye spice | Light anise | Fresh oak | Deliberate delivery of flavors | Thick mouthfeel

Rye spice tapers | Allspice | Fleeting caramel | Medium length

Starlight Distillery is located on the grounds of the Huber estate. Housing Huber’s Orchard & Winery, the family began farming back in 1843 when their ancestors settled in Starlight, IN from Baden-Baden, Germany. Now in its 8th generation with operations handled by Ted Huber and his sons Christian and Blake, Huber estate produces a variety of crops that are grown alongside the onsite distillery that produces an assortment of brandies and whiskeys. They began distilling whiskey in 2013, and all of their products are distilled onsite.

Old Rickhouse Straight Rye is one of Starlight’s more straightforward products. It’s not finished as many of their other whiskey products are, it’s made from a two-grain mashbill, and like other whiskeys they produce, uses a sweet mash technique. It’s in line with the age of many of their other whiskeys at 5 years old. At 92 proof, it’s more sturdy and full-flavored than you might expect, likely drawing its hardy backbone from the 85% rye used in the mashbill. Its flavor profile is deliberate and straightforward, with rye spice as the highlight punctuated by caramel, allspice, oak, and other complementary flavors. I doubt rye fans would dislike this, and it echoes the quality Starlight Distillery is becoming known for.