The Journey of Whisky Discovery: SMWS Launch and Maryland Straight Rye Insights
SMWS Launch (13 Dec 2017) Together with Wholly Spirits, we organised the Soft Launch of Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) in Malaysia. SMWS is a society that provides an adventurous journey of discovering the world’s widest collection of single cask whiskies, in which they are all from “silent” distilleries.
Rare Find: Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey K&L 07-year-old
As part of this exploration of unique spirits, we look at the K&L 07-year-old Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey. This is an old mini bottle with a Mary Land tax stamp on it. Research finds out that Louis Goldstein started his job as the comptroller in 1959. On the other hand, the federal tax label is with denominated ends and saying "series 111" near the center circle with the crest. This is an indication that the bottle must be from 1960 the latest. As every drop is 7 years old according to the label, it must have been distilled in 1952 or 1953.
The distillery of this straight rye whiskey is Standard Distillers Products, Inc. who was producing Pikesville too. It is not proven however that this straight rye whisky is similar to Pikesville. This rye whiskey is exceptionally smooth, and it offers sweet spice, cherry-like fruitiness, leather and wax and this typical thick rye kind of cereal.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Whiskybase ID | WB191103 |
| Category | Rye |
| Stated Age | 07 years |
| Strength | 86 (proof) |
| Average Rating | 87.00 points |
Professional Tasting Profile
The sensory experience of this vintage spirit is multi-layered:
- The nose: It brings some nice dark and damp notes of old leather, gingerbread, cinnamon rolls, dark cherry, treacle/syrup and furniture polish. It smells robust and calm together, like a well-behaved ogre.
- In the mouth: This rye whiskey is (still) powerful considering its strength 86 US proof. Again, mellowed by the wood, there is a nice spicy edge of ginger, this time accompanied by a pinch of pepper. Still some cinnamon, cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, wax, toast and vanilla.
- The finish: The finish is long, it keeps coming back with rather gentle spice (still ginger/cinnamon/pepper), syrup, rye bread, soft wood, forest fruit, chocolate/cherry cake and treacle.
About the Whiskybase Platform
Whiskybase offers a whisky enthusiasts online platform that provides its members access to the most comprehensive, transparent and trusted resource of whisky bottles. You can build and track your whisky collection, rate and review bottles, check prices, and engage with like-minded enthusiasts. By using our website(s) and registering for the Service, you expressly confirm acknowledgment and acceptance of the Terms and agree to be bound by them.
Membership Features
- Whisky collection management – track your bottles effortlessly
- Leave ratings & reviews to share your tasting notes
- See all whisky listings & prices from global retailers
- Explore 3.2M+ ratings & reviews from whisky enthusiasts
- Access the most trusted whisky database
