Distillery: Savage & Cooke
Region: Vallejo, California
Aging: 3 Years
ABV: 45%
Proof: 90
Mash Bill: 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Malted Barley
Non-Chill Filtered: No
Price: $30
Appearance: Gold
Nose: Reminds me of fruit candies I had while I was in France (image below) – sweet caramel, toasted oak, candied fruits like apricot and mango
Palate: Extremely easy to drink – tons of candied fruit notes, vanilla, and a sugary or maple flavor
Finish: Medium finish that leaves a nice lingering fruit flavor behind
Is Lip Service Straight Rye an Approachable Whiskey?
Lip Service Straight Rye is very easy to drink. You don’t get a lot of heat and spice like you normally would in a rye whiskey. instead, you’ll experience a beautifully balanced medley of candied fruits, caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla.
This is a whiskey for both beginners and experienced whiskey drinkers.
Is Lip Service Straight Rye Complex?
Lip Service Straight Rye Whiskey is a lot more complex than I expected.
I’ve already reviewed Savage & Cooke’s Second Glance Whiskey and absolutely loved it. I decided to pick this bottle up in hopes that I would strike gold a second time. To my surprise, I did!
I mentioned in my other review that I tried to pinpoint exactly what made Savage & Cooke whiskeys so rewarding to drink and after some research, I discovered that the secret sauce was the experience of Dave Phinney, a Napa Valley winemaker.
Not only does Dave Phinney hand-select each barrel, but after aging for a minimum of three years in new charred American oak barrels, the whiskey is then finished in wine barrels from Dave’s Grenache project in Maury France.
What are Lip Service Straight Rye’s strongest attributes/flavors?
The level of complexity in this bottle is its strongest attribute. When I purchased a “straight rye whiskey” as advertised on the label, I expected a ton of rye spice on the palate. I love a good rye whiskey, but I wasn’t expecting to experience the sweet, fruity notes on this one. Maybe it’s because I’m a fan of wine, but I definitely enjoy the flavors Dave Phinney has added to this one.
Is Lip Service Straight Rye a go-to whiskey?
For a bottle that is only $30 and delivers this level of flavor and complexity, Lip Service Straight Rye Whiskey is absolutely a solid go-to whiskey.
Savage & Cooke is 2 for 2 in my book and both bottles have been go-to whiskeys for me.
Is Lip Service Straight Rye priced accurately to its quality?
When it comes to $30 whiskey or below, it’s few and far between that you get a bottle that you could recommend to every friend that visits your house. Savage & Cooke’s Second Glance has been that bottle for the past 6 months and now I have another option to share with all of my friends.
Conclusion for Lip Service Straight Rye
Lip Service Straight Rye Whiskey is 100% worth every penny. You’ll have a hard time finding a better deal at this price point.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let me know on social media via Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
I really hope more people support Savage & Cooke because they are quickly becoming one of my favorite whiskey distilleries.
Thanks for reading and cheers!
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