Introduction
Stork Club is Germany's first Rye Whisky distillery, based close to Berlin. They use German rye and mature their spirit in a combination of first-fill American oak and German Napoleon oak.
Marketed as a 'cocktail rye', with an official suggestion of trying it in a Highball cocktail, I'm not sure what the neat pour is going to be like... so here goes:
On the Nose
Biscoff spread (that might be specific to where I live, so think caramel biscuits), a very strong 'old damp wooden oak floorboard' note (yeah, I know that's peculiar, but that's what I thought when I nosed this....), pepper, candied cherries, and, almost expectedly, rye bread.
If I'm honest, the nose was a little off-putting for me, not my usual preference at all.
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On the palate
Strong spice, warming mouthfeel, pepper and wood still prevalent, a bit of clove in the after taste, and wood, more wood, and wood again.
Conclusion
I've tried nicer Rye whiskies. And, if I was to say this was my first, it would probably have put me off. This isn't as sweet as other Rye whisky I've had, and the missing sweetness would be what made this more palatable for me. It was a nicer taste than it was on the nose, but I don't think I'd be keen to buy this to drink straight. Maybe in a cocktail, this would work, but I'm not tasting this as a cocktail.
I won't be rushing to try this again, and I don't think I'd buy this, as it wasn't to my taste.
Want to try it for yourself?
Why not try Stork Club Straight Rye Whiskey for yourself? You can pick up a bottle online at any of the following retailers:
What about next year?
Interested in joining Flaviar, the premium spirits club behind this calendar? You'll get premium tasting packs, full bottles of whisky, as well as early access to their Whisky Advent Calendars if made available! You can find out more HERE.