Selecting rye based on flavor

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Gonzo_distills
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Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Gonzo_distills »

I have achieved different flavors by using different varieties of rye in my corn blends. I understand that the location, soil, weather and nutrients from one year to the next can make a difference. What I would like to hear is what breeds of rye you folks like and what flavors they bring. Spice, fruit, earth, grass, ect.

This is leading to a 100% rye blend I would like to make. Thank you for your time and sharing your experiences.

Been stripping with a T500 as of late out of laziness. I plan on thumping through some complimentary fruits on the spirit run in my double keg setup.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

Interesting article about an heirloom rye seed:

https://lancasteronline.com/features/th ... 7f31e.html

Seems like it would be perfect for the folks interested in recreating the George Washington Rye.

The guy at Dancing Star Farms is working to bring this back. I talked to him a bit about it recently when I stopped off to pick up some corn, purple barley, and some Danko rye.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Gonzo_distills »

MichiganCornhusker wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 1:03 pm Interesting article about an heirloom rye seed:

https://lancasteronline.com/features/th ... 7f31e.html

Seems like it would be perfect for the folks interested in recreating the George Washington Rye.

The guy at Dancing Star Farms is working to bring this back. I talked to him a bit about it recently when I stopped off to pick up some corn, purple barley, and some Danko rye.
Thank you for the reference!
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by bluc »

Are you going to rely soley on strain for flavour or are you going to use some specialty kilned rye also?
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Gonzo_distills »

bluc wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:54 am Are you going to rely soley on strain for flavour or are you going to use some specialty kilned rye also?
I am open to suggestions! I would like to find something that would allow for some larger batches. I like to put one ten gallon barrel in the barn each year.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Twisted Brick »

.
I have seen crystal and caramel rye malt for sale at my LHBS and online. I have also read of an established US distiller who swears by the taste of un-malted grain in his 100% ryes.

For sure, the variables (weather, cultivar, malting schedules etc) can vary in commercial malts. The only way to tell which ones you may like is to test 'em. If you're inclined to malt your own, you may be successful in creating a repeatable flavor profile to your liking.

I have been dabbling in kilning specialty malts for a while and the results have been positive. I'm 8mo's into aging a 5gal barrel of 'higher' rye bourbon that has a combination of rye malts (pale and caramel) and a bit of raw rye which is turning out quite yummy.

Caramel Rye Malt

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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Bushman »

We have a malting company a county away from me that specializes in blended grains for flavor.
https://www.skagitvalleymalting.com/exp ... -varieties
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by LWTCS »

Abruzzi seems to be the variety that Todd Leopold is so excited about.

He explains here:

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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by greggn »

LWTCS wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 9:34 am
Abruzzi seems to be the variety that Todd Leopold is so excited about.
That was a well-produced video and a well-told story. I did some searching and discovered, sadly, that I probably won't be trying his rye ...


Leopold Bros Three Chamber Collectors Edition Rye Whiskey
750ml

5 out of 5 stars
1 reviews
$249.99
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

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greggn wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:29 am
LWTCS wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 9:34 am
Abruzzi seems to be the variety that Todd Leopold is so excited about.
That was a well-produced video and a well-told story. I did some searching and discovered, sadly, that I probably won't be trying his rye ...


Leopold Bros Three Chamber Collectors Edition Rye Whiskey
750ml

5 out of 5 stars
1 reviews
$249.99
Maybe some of your loved ones might chip in for your birthday or the like?
I bet it's more scarce than Blanton's
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by greggn »

LWTCS wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:49 am
I bet it's more scarce than Blanton's

Per the website where I found that price there were only 5,280 bottles produced. None available from the ginormous retailer in my area.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

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greggn wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 5:29 pm
LWTCS wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:49 am
I bet it's more scarce than Blanton's

Per the website where I found that price there were only 5,280 bottles produced. None available from the ginormous retailer in my area.

Yeah, based on the fact that even baseline iterations like Eagle Trace are being rationed out,,,I can see why a truly craft expression like this 3 chamber rye iteration is basically a unicorn.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Gonzo_distills »

LWTCS wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:49 am
greggn wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:29 am
LWTCS wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 9:34 am
Abruzzi seems to be the variety that Todd Leopold is so excited about.
That was a well-produced video and a well-told story. I did some searching and discovered, sadly, that I probably won't be trying his rye ...


Leopold Bros Three Chamber Collectors Edition Rye Whiskey
750ml

5 out of 5 stars
1 reviews
$249.99
Maybe some of your loved ones might chip in for your birthday or the like?
I bet it's more scarce than Blanton's
We recently did some taste testing at my house side-by-side with Blanton’s. Blanton’s was only preferred
once out of 20 blind testings. Michters American won overall, fyi.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Gonzo_distills »

I really appreciate the help guys! I ordered 3 half barrels and hope to have them by March 2022. I also ordered 500# worth of a variety Ryes to test my way through.

Any opinion on storing bulk white spirits in glass carboys before filling barrels or should I fill as I go?
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Bee »

greggn wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:29 am That was a well-produced video and a well-told story. I did some searching and discovered, sadly, that I probably won't be trying his rye ...


Leopold Bros Three Chamber Collectors Edition Rye Whiskey
750ml

5 out of 5 stars
1 reviews
$249.99
Isn't this why most people brew their own?
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Deplorable »

Gonzo_distills wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 6:24 am I really appreciate the help guys! I ordered 3 half barrels and hope to have them by March 2022. I also ordered 500# worth of a variety Ryes to test my way through.

Any opinion on storing bulk white spirits in glass carboys before filling barrels or should I fill as I go?
I'd suggest storing bulk in glass or SS until you have enough to fill the barrel. I store in 5 gallon Cornelius kegs until I have enough to fill a 5 gallon barrel.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by OtisT »

Following with interest. I’m getting ready to make my first 100% rye too. I bought a bottle of 100% unmalted rye from a Bend distillery, Crater Lake Distillery, that was absolutely delicious and I’ve wanted to make my own ever since. I found a grain grower from the bend area and I picked up enough raw rye grain for a batch to fill a 2 gallon barrel. The grain is Meca Grade estate rye from Madras Oregon. Otis
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

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Good luck with that Otis.
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Ben »

I've been using Proximity rye in my bourbon bill, at about 21% using WLP004 it brings out some heavy, dry (as in not sweet) cinnamon and a little bit of earth. You have to be a little careful with the blending though, somewhere in the hearts/tails transition there will be a volume of product that is almost like fireball but more intense, blend judiciously as it can take over the product :)

https://proximitymalt.com/product/malted-rye/
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Gonzo_distills »

Twisted Brick wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 8:43 am .
I have seen crystal and caramel rye malt for sale at my LHBS and online. I have also read of an established US distiller who swears by the taste of un-malted grain in his 100% ryes.

For sure, the variables (weather, cultivar, malting schedules etc) can vary in commercial malts. The only way to tell which ones you may like is to test 'em. If you're inclined to malt your own, you may be successful in creating a repeatable flavor profile to your liking.

I have been dabbling in kilning specialty malts for a while and the results have been positive. I'm 8mo's into aging a 5gal barrel of 'higher' rye bourbon that has a combination of rye malts (pale and caramel) and a bit of raw rye which is turning out quite yummy.

Caramel Rye Malt

Thank you very much for this!
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Re: Selecting rye based on flavor

Post by Twisted Brick »

My pleasure.
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