Introduction
Today, we dive into a unique whiskey from Arizona's Whiskey Del Bac, their Sentinel of the Desert Batch 3 Rye Whiskey. This straight rye is finished in mesquited casks, giving it a flavor profile not often found in rye whiskey. At 92 proof and aged at least two years, this limited release promises a bold, smoky character. We’ve been excited to try it, especially since it’s only the second time mesquite has come up on the podcast—previously with Matthew McConaughey's Longbranch from Wild Turkey. Let's break down how this whiskey fares across different categories like nose, taste, finish, balance, and value.
This review is taken from our episode "Blink (2024 Documentary)/Sentinel of the Desert Rye." Visit the episode's page to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Bob: The mesquited casks give this rye a really distinct character. It’s not peaty like a Scotch, but there's a noticeable smokiness. To me, it smells like a baked apple that's been sitting in a smoker for a couple of hours. It's sweet, with notes of applesauce and a subtle smokiness underneath. I really like this a lot. 8/10
Brad: I get a similar sense with those smoky, cinnamony notes reminding me of applesauce. But overall, I think it’s a bit more subdued. I’ll give it a 6.5/10.
Taste
Brad: The smokiness really kicks in on the finish, but on the palate, it’s a more standard two-year rye. There's a bit of mint, some sweet dill, and a hint of vanilla. Overall, it's a decent rye but nothing extraordinary. 7/10
Bob: I agree that it's definitely a young rye, but I give Whiskey Del Bac credit for balancing out some of the harsher aspects of a young whiskey. There’s a lot of green apple here, but it doesn't quite live up to the bold sweetness of the nose. It’s on the thinner side, and I’d give it a 6/10.
Finish
Brad: This is where the whiskey shines. The mesquite finally comes through, giving you those deep tobacco and leather notes, almost like taking a puff on a cigar. It’s the best part of the experience for me. 7.5/10
Bob: The finish definitely has a lot of leather, which I enjoy. That said, it doesn’t have as much rye character as I’d like, but for a two-year rye, it’s impressive. I wish it had more time to develop. 6.5/10
Balance
Bob: I think the team at Whiskey Del Bac did a solid job balancing the flavors here. Despite being a young rye, the mesquited finish elevates it and helps mask some of the rougher edges. 7/10
Brad: I agree they’ve done some interesting things with this whiskey, but I’m struggling with it at this age. It could really benefit from a couple more years in the barrel. 6.5/10
Value
Bob: This whiskey retails for around $50, which seems reasonable considering the mesquite finish and small-batch production. But at the end of the day, it’s still a two-year rye from MGP. I’d say the price is fair but not exceptional. 6.5/10
Brad: I’m on the fence about the price. At $50, it feels slightly justified given its uniqueness, but I’d prefer it aged longer. 5.5/10
Final Scores
Bob: My final score comes out to a 34.5/50. I’d recommend it if you’re curious about a unique, younger rye whiskey with a mesquite finish.
Brad: I’m at a 33/50. While it's an intriguing whiskey, I can't fully recommend it at this age. If they let it age a little longer, I think it could be something special.
Conclusion
This rye is a great example of how younger whiskey can be improved through creative barrel finishes. Whiskey Del Bac has done an admirable job bringing out the best of what a two-year rye can offer. At 34.5/50, Bob recommends giving it a try, especially if you're curious about what a mesquited finish brings to the table. However, Brad is holding off on recommending it until it sees a bit more age. For those seeking an interesting and different rye whiskey experience, Sentinel of the Desert may be worth a pour—particularly if you find it at a bar to try before committing to a bottle.
