Country: USA - Michigan - Traverse City
Distillery: Traverse City Whiskey Co
Type: Straight Rye
Age: 3
Cask: American Oak
ABV: 45%
Proof: 90
Price: $40

Nose: White summer flowers with sourdough bread and lavender. In time lemon zest arises with cherries.

Palate: Unexpectedly smooth and creamy. There are notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, white chocolate, grapefruit and caramel bars with popcorn. 

Finish: Finish has an oaky tone with black peppers. Dryness of quince and ginger with a vanilla after taste.

Rye is a tough nut. Industry is still solving new mysteries about rye whiskey every day. To my experience even back to back batches with almost same grain batches can give you a different new make.

I remember Traverse City North Coast Rye from my spirit buying days. It was one of those whiskies that showed a huge potential and every customer who bought the bottle came back for it.

Whiskey has a richer nose than the bourbons (not the barrel proof). I don't know if it is the power of suggestion but I feel cherries on the nose on Traverse City whiskies. The palate is showing a rich character with lovely notes of rye spices. It leads to a finish with distinctive dry notes which I actually liked.

I hope we will see some older versions of this expressions since I want to see the development of this rye so much.