There is a story behind every bottle of whiskey, and American Woman Special Release Straight Rye vs Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B...: Which Rye Is Better? carries one worth telling.
Choosing between American Woman Special Release Straight Rye and Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B... can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| American Woman Special Release Straight Rye | Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B... | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Rye | Rye |
| Age | N/A | 7 years |
| ABV | 102 proof | 50% ABV |
| Price | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Rating | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Nose
American Woman Special Release Straight Rye: Big yes to the classic rye characteristics of medicinal spice. Need to ease in and out from the glass opening with this one. Ginger candy on the forefront. Through the tickling burn, a peach cobbler takes over the senses with heavy notes of cinnamon and orange zest. Even more so than the bourbon, to round off the nose, there is a crunchy salty pretzel rod dipped in caramel and drizzled with dark chocolate.
Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B...: When straight out of the bottle, the rye started off like soggy Cinnamon Toast Crunch. With a little more room to breathe, the dram has delightful vanilla bean and Moroccan mint. Lemon oil and anise really come through in the middle. Bright red maraschino cherry rounds out the end. However, the finish has a whiff of fresh cut grass.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
American Woman Special Release Straight Rye: A fancy dark cherry you just dug out at the bottom of a rye Manhattan, soaked in all its glory, burst with these flavors. More dark fruit like dates and figs stick around too. Lastly, a ginger forward chai with zested cinnamon on top is in the finish. The initial mouthfeel was spikey, dried out the tongue, and really warmed my chest on the way down. But sitting awhile longer with it, the spikey tingly sensation sticks around but it mellows quickly for you to capture and experience the fun spices in this straight rye.
Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B...: The rye is very spicy, and not because of the ABV. Even more so, the whiskey has a sour taste to it and is overpowered with straw. Once past that bit, vanilla ice cream covered in pralines and dusted with cocoa powder lingers on the breath. The mint is there, too.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
American Woman Special Release Straight Rye: Comments: 102 proof; aged 3.5 years; mash bill: 95% Rye + 5% Malted Barley; around $60 for a 750ml bottle
Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B...: Comments: 50% ABV. 100 proof
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Both whiskeys are competitively priced for what they deliver, with American Woman Special Release Straight Rye at $60.00 and Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B... at $60.00.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, American Woman Special Release Straight Rye takes the crown with a rating of 8/10 compared to Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B...'s 7/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B... is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B... appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- American Woman Special Release Straight Rye – Full Review
- Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B... – Full Review
Final Reflections
American Woman Special Release Straight Rye vs Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Bonded (B...: Which Rye Is Better? is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
