Hughes Belle of Bedford: Straight Rye Toasted Barrel

Seelbach's single barrel

MSRP: $89.99

Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley

Proof: 115.02

Age: 8 years

Nose: extremely sweet milk chocolate, oak bark, subtle hint of menthol, caramel latte taffy, honeydew melon, sweet bread

Palate: the nose follows through to the palate, but loses the melon and menthol in favor of just s'mores with a heavy graham cracker sweetness. This is what you hope for when someone says toasted barrel rye.

Finish: medium length finish where the sweetness gives way to some oak tannin and rye spice.

Rating: Hoard it (Out of Hoard, Buy, Try, Pass)

Thoughts: Oh I like this. I need to do a side by side blind with this and Michter's toasted barrel strength rye. This is one of those very rare occasions where Michter's could be dethroned. I can't believe more people aren't talking about Belle of Bedford, especially the toasted rye. The big difference is the mashbill, and how that presents. Where as Michter's toasted is a barely legal rye and oozes sweetness, this is a classic Indiana 95/5, and as a result it carries some healthy earthiness and spice. There's heavy handed oak, espresso, and a pop of spice that I can't imagine you'd find in a barely legal rye. Hopefully I can find more of these in the near future.