Light new charred oak | Faint grain | Baking spices | Kentucky Cream Pull candy | Slight vanilla bean

Fresh oak | Dull vanilla | Rye bread | Sharp rye spice | Youthful

Fiery rye spice | Vanilla | Oak | Leather | Lingering heat

Stoll & Wolfe Distillery is based out of Lititz, Pennsylvania. Even though it is considered a craft distillery, it has a rich history in whiskey thanks to the late Dick Stoll, who passed away in 2020. Stoll was the last master distiller at Pennsylvania’s Michter’s, where he also distilled bourbon for the A.H. Hirsch Bourbon brand. He was trained by Charles Everett Beam, who was the grandnephew of the legendary Jim Beam himself. Previous Rosen Ryes I’ve reviewed have been aged from 18 months to 4 years, however, those have been at 90 proof. This latest limited release from the company is a 4 year old single barrel that clocks in at 106.5 proof. A total of 120 bottles were produced.  

This particular barrel is a contrast between youth and more impactful flavors. It starts with a youthful aroma that is buoyed and balanced out by sweeter scents, forming a nice base for the whiskey. The midpoint, however, swerves away from the pleasantness of the nose, highlighting fresh oak and dull vanilla with a sharp rye spice that leaves you doubting how things will round out. Thankfully the finish highlights the whiskey’s proof to showcase fiery rye spice and more traditional flavors. While it had its moments, I was expecting more from a barrel proof Rosen Rye. However, knowing what the brand is capable of, and the fact this is a single barrel, I look forward to tasting future Rosen Rye releases to see if this barrel was a fluke or a new trajectory for Stoll & Wolfe.

The whiskey in review comes from barrel number R920.