Bending Branch 1840 Bourbon High Rye arrives at 54% abv; high rye mash with corn and barley; SRP $. Priced at $75. sweet rye spice with cinnamon and brown sugar, we assessed it with care.
Palate
Slow burn to the palate to start but a little watery as a mouthfeel. A very sweet splash of rye and molasses sugar to the palate. Each sip introduced a little stronger deep note but it was progressive and allowed you to explore the whiskey. There is a subtle warming in the chest with the sip. There is a lingering char note but extremely soft. Successive sips bring about a little more oily of a mouthfeel, but still very delicate across the mouth. The finish after the second or third sips starts to hold nicely to the palate. At first it just disappears, but after a sip or two you get a nice tingling to the mouth with a drying component which holds the molasses and wood taste against the palate. Upfront, I think it needs to be older. I want this to be older. I want it to be older because I really liked the profile and think some extra time in barrel would just be extraordinary. What I appreciate about this bourbon is it stays true to being a bourbon with a high rye mash. Too often high rye is an excuse for trying to make a rye whiskey but wanting to use a bourbon recipe.rnrnYou get two competing whiskeys in one glass and its just hard to enjoy. Here, we have a bourbon who is complemented by rye spice. This does a great job of evolving with each successive sip and really allowing you to explore the flavors.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Verdict
Bending Branch 1840 Bourbon High Rye delivers a thoroughly accomplished whiskey that justifies its $75. sweet rye spice with cinnamon and brown sugar price point. It is well-crafted, balanced, and worthy of a place in any considered collection.
