There is a lot to like about Whiskey Reviews: Rod and Hammer’s SLO Stills on paper. At 45% ABV and $31.99, let us see if it lives up to expectations.
Nose
Golden yellow in color, this forms small tears on the glass that are slow to fall. Appearance is almost identical to the rye, with just the slightest copper hue added to the color. This is slightly darker in color than the straight bourbon with the tears on the glass taking longer to form and fall. Smells of toasted rye bread with honey. A kind of marshmallow sweetness is on the nose with some subtle apple and spice. Smells of cotton candy, corn, and a savory vegetal note that almost reminds me of green olive. I get caramel, white pepper, and a note of charred corn. The corn scent makes me think of corn cooked on barbecue for just a little too long. This has a very pleasant spice throughout it. It has that kind of nondescript sweetness up front, flavor of rye crackers in the mid palate, and a meaty finish that is just quite savory. The addition of water shifts the flavor profile towards the sweeter notes with hints of caramel coming in at the mid palate and making the finish a combination of vegetal and sweet. Score: 3.5 / 5 Tasting Notes: Rod and Hammers SLO Stills Straight Bourbon Whiskey Vital Stats: Distilled in Indiana from 55% corn, 35% rye, and 10% barley. Bottled at 45% ABV. Aged a minimum of two years in new American white oak. $42.99 per bottle. Appearance: Appearance is almost identical to the rye, with just the slightest copper hue added to the color. Nose: Smells of cotton candy, corn, and a savory vegetal note that almost reminds me of green olive. Palate: The cotton candy on the nose really carries over to the front of the palate with just a ton of sweetness at first. This shifts to pretty classic bourbon flavors of vanilla and oak on the mid palate. The finish is pretty long with a mild spice and good warming sensation. The addition of water really killed this for me. I get almost nothing from the front of the palate and the finish. The mid palate becomes a standard bourbon with the caramel and oak flavor. Score: 2.5 / 5 Tasting Notes: Rod and Hammers SLO Stills Cask Bourbon Vital Stats: Distilled in Indiana from 55% corn, 35% rye, and 10% barley. Bottled at 56% ABV. Aged a minimum of two years in new American white oak. From $36.99 per bottle. Appearance: This is slightly darker in color than the straight bourbon with the tears on the glass taking longer to form and fall. Nose: I get caramel, white pepper, and a note of charred corn. The corn scent makes me think of corn cooked on barbecue for just a little too long. Palate: I get caramel and pepper up front. This shifts to a marshmallow sweetness with a bit of oak in the mid palate and a good amount of heat from the alcohol. The finish is filled with spice and a little bit of that corn flavor from the nose. Surprising no one, adding water puts the flavor profile in line with the straight bourbon. Score: 2.5 / 5 Final Thoughts: In my opinion all of these need a bit more age on them. There isnt anything wrong with them, but they all drink a bit hot and come off as a bit young. The flavors dont seem as developed and I feel they lack a depth that you can find in so many other ryes and bourbons on the market in the same price range.
Palate
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.
The Bottom Line
Whiskey Reviews: Rod and Hammer’s SLO Stills did not quite work for me. At $31.99, I would steer you toward other bottles that offer more for your money in this category.
