There is a story behind every bottle of whiskey, and Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... vs Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey: A Distillery Showdown carries one worth telling.
When a single distillery produces multiple expressions, it raises an irresistible question: which one is actually better? Today we put Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... and Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey from ies head-to-head to find out which bottle delivers the most satisfying pour.
Both come from the same house, so they share a heritage of craftsmanship, but differences in age, mash bill, or finishing can create dramatically different drinking experiences. Let's dig in.
Specifications at a Glance
| Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... | Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | ies | ies |
| Type | American | Rye |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 50% ABV, mash bill: 100% heirloom Centennial wheat | 50% abv |
| Price | $80.00 | $59.00 |
| Rating | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Nose
Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk...: The first impression is of a punchy spirit with fruity and vanilla notes. The aromatics leap from the glass upon pouring. As it opens up, this kid gets down the business. Theres a whiff of volatile acidity that transforms into red cherries and Sweet Tart candies. The nose is mostly savory, though, with notes of oatmeal cookies, melted butter, and toasted walnuts. This does show its age in comparison to the five-year, which had a more raw flour note. This ends with a touch of shoe polish and shucked corn.
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey: First whiff brings forward notes of honeydew melon, oak, fall leaves, candied orange peal and nutmeg. Its a fun journey through very soft notes and some character depth. Overall, it almost felt like a rich chardonnay wine, dry and crisp with sweet fruit.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk...: The whiskey is more medium-bodied than viscous with a harsh astringency to its finish that keeps the palate clean. Its not sugary, but there is a sweetness to the taste. I pick up notes of sesame crackers, buttered toffee, creamed corn, and pecan clusters. Theres oodles of flavors and lots of complexity to enjoy without being cloying or overbearing. The finish is fairly long in length. I would hate to use this as a mixer with anything but a dash of water or ice, its simply too complex and delicious on its own.
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey: changed. Scotch and Irish styles were the whiskies of choice. As for American spirits bourbon rebounded after the repeal of the 18th amendment, Rye never really recovered. Distilleries, including Washingtons, closed all along the American east coast. Rye whiskey was a novelty with too few drinkers. Through the 60s and into the late 80s clear liquors became the favorite and rye as a style was almost relegated to the history books itself; but a curious thing happened in 1995-2000, the cocktail revival. With a resurgence in classic cocktails and attention to crafting new ones, rye whiskey found purchase. The lean, spicy whiskey played well in mixed drinks, and began being the specific whiskey for many cocktails. I know for this reviewer rye is the only choice for my Manhattan. Today most
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk...: Comments: Barrels were aged seven years and nine months on average in new American oak, 50% ABV, mash bill: 100% heirloom Centennial wheat, SRP $79.99/ 750ml bottle
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey: Comments: Uncle Nearest 100% Rye whiskey, no age statement, 50% abv. MSRP: $59
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 Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... at $80.00 and Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey at $59.00.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... takes the crown with a rating of 9/10 compared to Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey's 7/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... – Full Review
- Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey – Full Review
Final Reflections
Laws Whiskey House 7 Year Centennial Straight Wheat Whisk... vs Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey: A Distillery Showdown 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.
