London has been chosen as the exclusive location for the European launch of not one but two very special rye whiskeys from Ross & Squibb Distillery, part of the Luxco and MGP brand portfolio – Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey and the distillery’s bold and bolshy barrel proof version. We managed to grab some exclusive time with the first-ever Master Distiller of Ross & Squibb Distillery, Ian Stirsman, in London to find out more about what makes this whiskey so interesting.
Firstly, a bit more information about rye whiskey, the lesser-used cousin of bourbon. Rye whiskey was historically the prevalent whiskey in the Eastern states of the USA, owing to the local settlers (mostly German, Irish and Scottish) knowing the grain well already and the soil providing a perfect breeding ground for the grain. The distilling soon followed, and by the 1800s, rye whiskey was commercialised and favoured across the land for its bolder flavour profile, with rye making up a whopping 96% of all the liquor consumed in America.
Unfortunately, rye whiskey largely disappeared after the Prohibition. As a result, most of the US East Coast rye distilleries closed down, only making a real comeback in the early 21st century, when speakeasies and cocktails were going through a renaissance. Step forward Ross & Squibb Distillery – or as Ian calls it, the largest American distillery you’ve never heard of.
Ian goes on to say that the historic 176-year-old Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, began life as the Rossville Distillery in 1847 and is one of America’s last Prohibition era distilleries. Every day, his hardworking distillery team innovate and work to create products consumers love, and these two remarkable ryes are no exception.
According to US law, any rye whiskey needs to be made of a mash of at least 51% rye. This makes the end result that much bolder in flavour, and from Michele Reina’s perspective, one of the absolute best ingredients you can use to balance out a cocktail. Due to its big spicy savoury notes, rye whiskey can easily complement the other ingredients in a cocktail, creating complex flavours that develop on the palate resulting in a more accomplished drink.
These whiskeys don’t actually go on sale in the UK until June, but Ross & Squibb is giving London’s whiskey fans the chance to be amongst the very first outside of the States to experience them. So, what do they taste like?
Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey is robust, spicy and just a little bit fruity. Aged for more than five years, there’s a slight hint of smoke from the charred oak barrels that appear as you sip. It comes in at a decent 47% ABV. The other rye whiskey, the Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof meanwhile is a punchier 56.3% ABV, and is my personal favourite. Much spicier on the palate, it’s made from only the best selected barrels of whiskey that are five to seven years old, and has a much more concentrated rye-like flavour. Delicious.
For those of you who can’t wait until June to get your hands on these magnificent whiskeys, Michele Reina and Ross & Squibb have teamed up with some of London’s most exciting cocktail bars to help launch them with special menus at Block Soho, Chotto Matte, Black Rock and Stereo.
It’s now been 90 years since the Prohibition ended, so it really is the time to celebrate with Ross & Squibb’s wonderful rye whiskeys.
To discover more, visit: rossandsquibb.com
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All imagery courtesy of Ross & Squib.