Sipp’n Corn Tasting Notes: Four Gate Batch 7—River Kelvin Rye.

Four Gate is back with another extremely limited batch of only 1,484 bottles.  And for the first time, it’s a Straight Rye Whiskey.  It’s not a Kentucky Rye—or “barely Rye”—it’s a 95% rye grain Indiana Straight Rye, meaning we can all pretty much guess the source.

Batch 7—River Kelvin Rye

Bourbon:        Straight Rye Whiskey
Distillery:       Undisclosed, but distilled in Indiana
Age:                7 years
ABV:              56.6% ABV (113.2 Proof)
Cost:               $174.99

Appearance:
Brown side of amber.

Nose:
Yup, that’s a Rye.  There’s some ABV sting, but once you get past that, it’s brown sugar, baking spice, lemon zest, and dark, dried fruit.

Taste:
Yup, it’s a big Rye again.  There’s a little telltale dill, brown sugar, black pepper, and oak.  Really mouthwatering flavors.

Finish:
Lingering spice with warmth that lasts.

Bottom Line

Distribution is limited like Four Gate’s other releases, but even more than I recall for earlier expressions, with distribution just for Kentucky and Indiana, and via Seelbachs.com.  Four Gate is also holding back some of this Rye Whiskey to be used with future barrel finishing projects, including a return of the Kelvin Split-Stave and Ruby Port-Rum casks anticipated for 2021.  I probably shouldn’t commit before tasting those, but River Kelvin Rye just as it is hits everything that I’m looking for in a Rye Whiskey.

Disclaimer: The brand managers kindly
sent me a sample for this review,
without any strings attached. 
Thank you.