Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye

Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye shines when sipped neat or with a few drops of water to open up its complex flavors, but it also makes an excellent base for bold, spicy rye cocktails. This robust whiskey is perfect for cooler autumn evenings, pairing wonderfully with hearty dishes like grilled meats, rich stews, or sharp aged cheeses that complement its peppery, warming character.

Nose: Dried grass, cracked black pepper, and hints of fennel seed greet the nose. There's a subtle undercurrent of caramel and toasted oak, with whispers of cinnamon and nutmeg adding complexity.

Palate: Rye spice takes center stage, accompanied by flavors of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. Notes of dried fruit, particularly apricot and fig, add sweetness. A touch of vanilla and charred oak rounds out the profile.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering rye spiciness. Hints of clove and allspice emerge, along with a subtle mintiness. The finish tapers off with a pleasant dryness reminiscent of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye is crafted using a time-honored sour mash process, where a portion of the previously fermented mash is used to start the new batch, ensuring consistency and depth of flavor. What sets this rye apart is its use of heirloom San Luis Valley rye grain, grown at high altitudes in Colorado, which imparts a unique terroir and robust character to the final spirit.

• Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye is made from a rare heirloom variety of rye grain called "San Luis Valley Rye," which was nearly extinct before the distillery partnered with local farmers to revive its cultivation. This grain is known for its spicy, robust flavor profile that sets it apart from more common rye varieties.
• The distillery employs a unique "sound-aging" technique for this rye whiskey, playing music in the rickhouse 24/7. They believe the sound waves create subtle vibrations in the barrels, increasing the interaction between the spirit and the wood, potentially enhancing flavor development.
• Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye is bottled at exactly 95 proof (47.5% ABV) as a nod to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which set standards for American whiskey quality. However, this rye isn't actually a Bottled-in-Bond product, making it a playful tribute to whiskey history while charting its own course.