Whiskey Review: Rare Character The Exceptional Series 11-Year Kentucky Straight Malt

Introduction

Today, we’re diving into a unique offering from Rare Character: The Exceptional Series 11-Year Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey. This might be the first Rare Character product we’ve officially reviewed on the podcast, but it’s certainly not our first encounter with the brand. They have a reputation for sourcing well-aged barrels and selling them as premium, single-barrel releases. This one, aged 11 years, has a mash bill of 65% malt and 35% corn, and it’s a cask-strength Kentucky straight malt whiskey—a rare find in the American whiskey world.

Rare Character describes this as an "incredibly uncommon" mash bill, and it’s distinct from traditional American single malts. Instead of being pot-distilled, it was made using column stills and aged in new barrels like a bourbon or rye. It’s a whiskey that immediately piqued our interest. So, let’s see if it lives up to the Exceptional title.

This review is taken from our episode "Argo (2012) / Rare Character The Exceptional Series 11-Year Malt Whiskey." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Bob: Right away, this smells like a really bright, fruity bourbon to me, or even like a high-rye whiskey. It’s a fun mix of classic bourbon notes with a unique twist.

Brad: I’m getting almost no bourbon character here. For me, it’s lemongrass and shortbread cookies—like those little Lorna Doone packs or maybe even Chessmen cookies. It’s interesting, but I don’t know if I love it. It’s well-made, though, so I’m giving it a 7/10.

Bob: See, I like this a lot more. American malt whiskey can be hit or miss, but I think this one does some cool things. Even at 11 years old, it still smells a little young, probably due to that corn influence. But I really enjoy the extra sweetness that brings. I’m going with an 8/10.

Taste

Brad: Man, this one is just not quite working for me. There’s lemon zest, banana, and even a touch of olive oil. It’s very unique, but I’m struggling to find classic whiskey notes. I like that it’s different, but I don’t know if I’d reach for it again. 7/10.

Bob: Wow, I like this way more than you do. It does feel like an experiment more than a final, polished product, but I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s fun, and it plays with different flavors. It reminds me of a cross between mellow corn and an American single malt, finding a middle ground between the two. 7.5/10.

Finish

Brad: It actually gets worse for me on the finish. There’s a grassy, bready texture, but the flavors just disappear too quickly. Even the lemon, which was super prominent on the palate, fades almost immediately. 6.5/10.

Bob: I completely disagree. This finish lingers forever. It has almost an Islay Scotch quality to it—not in terms of peat, but in terms of the bold, smoky, bitter note that sticks around. Once I read Rare Character’s tasting notes, I realized there’s a spearmint quality to it that I really like. 8/10.

Balance

Bob: This whiskey is well above average for me. It’s unique, and I respect that. But I also recognize that it might not be for everyone. I’m giving it a 7.5/10.

Brad: It’s exceptionally different, but I wouldn’t call it exceptionally good. There’s quality in the production, but the flavors don’t come together for me. 6/10.

Value

Brad: This is a luxury whiskey, with a price tag of at least $200 (sometimes more). That’s just way too much for what this is. 2.5/10.

Bob: I see what you’re saying, but for a single-barrel, cask-strength, 11-year-old malt whiskey, this is about what I’d expect. This is the type of bottle you bring out at a fancy bourbon festival dinner just to show off. 5/10.

Final Scores

Bob: 36/50
Brad: 29/50

Conclusion

Well, folks, there you have it—we are seven points apart, which is practically unheard of for us. That alone speaks to how polarizing this whiskey is. Bob finds it fun, experimental, and enjoyable, while Brad thinks it’s a swing and a miss.

At 36/50, Bob is in the "soft recommend" range, meaning this might be worth trying at a bar before committing to a bottle. Meanwhile, Brad’s 29/50 suggests this one just isn’t for him.

If you love unusual, bold American malt whiskey, this might be for you. If you’re looking for something more traditional, $200+ could be better spent elsewhere. Either way, Rare Character is doing interesting things in the world of sourced whiskey, and we’re excited to try more from their lineup.