Whiskey Review/Tasting: Cody Road Rye

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Produced by the Mississippi River Distilling Company, a relatively young distillery.
Type: Rye whiskey.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Utilizes both column stills and a pot still from Kote Distillationstechnik, a German manufacturer. Crafted in small batches to ensure quality, with batch number two being the focus of this review. The whiskey is matured in small casks (30 gallons or approximately 114 liters) to accelerate maturation and enhance flavor, as opposed to the standard 200-liter American barrels.
Age Statement: Not explicitly mentioned, but implied to be relatively young due to the use of smaller casks for faster maturation.
Color, Clarity, and Bottle Design: The bottle design specifics are not detailed, but it features a plastic cork. The whiskey is noted for its clarity and color, though specific descriptions are not provided.

Balance of Flavors: Presents a unique balance between spiciness and a subtle sweetness, with a notable freshness reminiscent of a foggy morning walk through pine woods.
Unique Characteristics: The whiskey is made from 100% rye, leading to an expectation of a spicy profile. However, it surprises with a fresh, piney aroma and a complex flavor profile that includes baking spices, a hint of peppermint, and a gradual fade from spice to a fresh, slightly sweet finish.
Comparison: Compared to another whiskey with 90% rye content, Cody Road Rye is expected to be spicier but turns out to offer a more nuanced and fresh flavor profile.

Anecdotes: The reviewer shares a personal regret about not visiting the distillery during a road trip through the USA and Canada, despite covering 3,500 kilometers.
Trivia: The whiskey's batch number (batch number two) and the names of the individuals who bottled it (Martha, Bob, Mary, Stacy, Mike, Scott, Ryan, and Gareth) are shared, adding a personal touch to the whiskey's story.

Local Sourcing: The rye used in the whiskey is sourced locally from within a 25-mile radius of the distillery, emphasizing the distillery's commitment to using local ingredients from Illinois.
Craft Distillery Movement: Cody Road Rye exemplifies the craft distillery movement's ethos, with a focus on small-batch production, local sourcing, and innovative distillation techniques.

"This smells like gin." - Initial reaction to the whiskey's aroma, highlighting its unique and unexpected scent profile.
"Very interesting whiskey. Young distillery. And for that, they've not been around that long I have to say kudos, great product." - Praise for the distillery's ability to produce a high-quality product despite its relative youth.

Cody Road Rye is a small-batch rye whiskey from the Mississippi River Distilling Company.
Made from 100% rye, matured in small casks for faster maturation and enhanced flavor.
Features a unique flavor profile with a balance of spiciness, freshness, and subtle sweetness.
The whiskey is locally sourced and exemplifies the craft distillery movement.
Received high praise for its quality and unique characteristics despite the distillery's youth.

Rye Whiskey Enthusiasts: Individuals who appreciate the spicy complexity of rye whiskey will find Cody Road Rye intriguing due to its 100% rye composition.
Craft Spirit Aficionados: Those interested in the craft distillery movement and small-batch production methods will appreciate the distillery's approach and the whiskey's unique characteristics.
Adventurous Drinkers: Consumers looking for a whiskey that offers something different from the norm, especially those who enjoy exploring unique flavor profiles and distillation techniques.