Introduction
Today, we’re diving into 1792 High Rye bourbon, a special release from the Barton 1792 Distillery. This is the third in a lineup of five 1792 bourbons we're drinking to end Season 7 of the podcast, after 1792 Sweet Wheat and 1792 Small Batch.
This one is intriguing because the regular 1792 Bourbon is already marketed as a high rye bourbon, so this should really be called “Higher Rye” or maybe even “Highest Rye.” Unfortunately, we don't have a ton of specifics to go on, as the mash bill is undisclosed, leaving us guessing about just how high the rye content really is. But with that said, let's get into the whiskey and see how it measures up.
The following review is taken from our episode "Shadow of a Doubt / 1792 High Rye Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad started with his thoughts: "Last week, we talked about how I got a little bit of acetone on the nose that lingered. It’s still here a tiny bit this week, but it’s overpowered nicely by some cinnamon. All I could think of as I nosed this was those sour caramel apple pops we had as kids. It’s caramel, but it’s not just caramel—there’s that green apple, too."
Bob added, "I actually do get a little bit of cinnamon and apples on this. It smells like a classic bourbon. The last two weeks haven’t really smelled like bourbon to me, but this one definitely does. One thing I will say is that it reminds me of a barrel-proof bourbon. It’s not that the ethanol is really strong, but I’m surprised this is only 94.3 proof—it’s got some kick."
Bob scored the nose 7.5/10, while Brad was just slightly below with a 7/10.
Taste
"As I got into the palate," Brad said, "I ran into some similar issues from the last few weeks. I do get some rye spice here, and it’s definitely got a higher rye content. There’s vanilla, but the caramel kind of disappears and turns into a sour apple peel. The flavor just doesn’t pack the punch I’m hoping for." Brad scored it 6/10.
Bob’s take was a bit different: "There’s a lot of sweetness underlying the really charry, toasty oak notes, but the sweetness is more like simple syrup—just sugar and water. I don’t get a ton of complexity or anything that stands out. The oak really overtakes things for me, coupled with a pretty bland sweetness. I’m just going to give this a 6.5/10."
Finish
Brad wasn’t impressed with the finish: "On the finish, I wrote the words ‘generically sweet.’ It’s kind of thin, a little bit short, and doesn’t bring the spiciness that often comes with a higher rye finish. It’s not bad, but there’s just not enough character here for me to be wowed." He gave it 5.5/10.
Bob echoed some of those sentiments: "I’m going to go with a 6.5/10 again. There’s nothing wrong with the finish, but there’s nothing to write home about, either. This is the kind of whiskey that, if you were trying to introduce someone to bourbon, it might be challenging for them to get through. It’s got a lot of toasted oak and tobacco—really more bitter flavors—and it’s not the kind of thing that’s going to convert someone to bourbon."
Balance
"For balance," Brad said, "I’m giving it a 6/10. The flavors are there, but there’s not enough complexity or character for it to be a great whiskey."
Bob added, "I’m at 6.5/10. It’s a decent whiskey on its own, but nothing really stands out or harmonizes in a way that elevates it."
Value
Value is a bit tricky. In Ohio, 1792 High Rye sells for around $40, but it’s not always available. "This is a special release bourbon," Bob said, "and compared to other special releases, $36 MSRP isn’t bad. I don’t particularly love this whiskey, but if I’m looking at it from a market perspective, I don’t think it’s a bad value. I’ll give it 6.5/10."
Brad was less generous: "For a limited edition, $36 isn’t terrible, but I’m not wowed by the juice inside. I’ll give it 5.5/10."
Final Scores
Bob’s final score came to 33.5/50, while Brad’s was 30/50. That brings the overall average to 31.75/50 or 63.5/100.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, 1792 High Rye didn’t live up to expectations. Despite a promising nose, the palate and finish fell short, leaving both of us disappointed. This is not a whiskey we would recommend trying or buying, especially with other, more impressive options out there. If you’re curious, a bar pour might be worth it just to see where you stand, but we wouldn’t rush to add this bottle to your collection.
