Headquartered in Windfall, Rhode Island, Wheel Horse Whiskey entered the market in 2019 as a non-distilling producer dedicated to American whiskey. From day one, the label has been candid about sourcing its bourbon and rye from Inexperienced River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky. For a lot of whiskey followers, Wheel Horse’s 4-year-old, 101-proof releases provided their earliest alternative to style Owensboro distillate with significant maturity and vigor — earlier than Inexperienced River started issuing bottles with comparable age and energy below its personal identify.
As an Owensboro resident, I had the bizarre expertise of buying a cask energy single barrel Wheel Horse bourbon — distilled solely a brief drive from my dwelling — earlier than Inexperienced River debuted its personal 90 proof expression and nicely earlier than cask energy choices. To savor my hometown whiskey at full tilt, I needed to look to a producer primarily based Rhode Island.
In fall 2025, Wheel Horse finds itself in an analogous place, this time with rye. Inexperienced River launched its house-labeled rye at 95 proof in January 2024, and whereas that bottling earned reward, many fanatics hoped for one thing with extra muscle. Beneath Barrel Grasp Stephen Corrigan, Wheel Horse answered that decision with Wheel Horse Barrel Grasp Choose Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Rye.
Batch RP-001 merges 9 barrels of Owensboro-distilled rye, yielding a hearty 120.4-proof mix — nicely above Inexperienced River’s 95 proof providing. The mashbill leans closely into rye grain at 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Distilled on a Vendome column nonetheless, the spirit entered Speyside Cooperage barrels at 120 proof, every charred to a #4 degree. The youngest barrel matured for five years, 7 months, the oldest simply shy of 6 years, creating a mean age of practically 5 years, 9 months — with most barrels resting for five years, 10 months. Though the whiskey is unmistakably Kentuckian in origin, its remaining stretch of maturation — roughly six months — came about in Windfall, giving the Rhode Island group its imprint on the ultimate profile.
The artwork of mixing sits on the coronary heart of this launch. The whiskey itself was distilled throughout Jacob Name’s tenure at Inexperienced River; Aaron Harris now oversees distillation there. However in Windfall, it’s Corrigan who decides what finally reaches the bottle. If Name, Harris, and Corrigan have been every handed the identical warehouse of barrels and requested to decide on 9 for a private mix, the outcomes would differ dramatically. Shared DNA, sure — however each small-batch choice develops its personal character. Corrigan’s decisions for this launch have been intentional: 9 barrels singled out from a bigger pool for his or her particular person character, finally producing 1,800 bottles.
For a lot of drinkers, this marks the primary alternative to expertise Owensboro-distilled rye with significant age, bottled at full cask energy. However the pleasure isn’t solely about proof. Corrigan has earned a popularity for high quality blends — so his stewardship is a significant a part of the story.
Does his ability proceed to shine in Wheel Horse Barrel Grasp Choose Barrel Proof Rye? Let’s discover.
Wheel Horse Barrel Grasp Choose Barrel Proof Rye Overview
The aroma presents a rush of orchard and tropical fruit, led by the scent of grilled peaches rising from the glass and accompanied by a drizzle of skinny caramel sauce. Candied pineapple and a splash of cool spearmint spherical out the bouquet, giving the nostril a fruit-forward identification separating from extra conventional rye. Relatively than counting on the dry spice profile historically linked to the class, Wheel Horse goes after a brighter register.
The primary sip introduces clover honey and fennel, creating a pleasant entry level. Shifting throughout the palate, grapefruit zest and spicy clove take form, supported by a reasonably viscous mouthfeel.
The end begins with a flare of white pepper that swiftly transitions to Bazooka bubblegum. As the ultimate moments develop, lemongrass and inexperienced tea contribute a very nice shut. From introduction to conclusion, this rye stands out via its fruit-centric character and its means to keep up curiosity with out leaning on standard rye profiles.
For many years, the American rye market provided solely a slender variety of expressions, many echoing the identical stylistic template. The whiskey world in 2025 is remarkably totally different, and Wheel Horse Barrel Grasp Choose Barrel Proof Rye stands out as an ideal instance of that enlargement. Its bottling energy feels excellent, its worth — $43 — extremely engaging for the standard on show. With simply 1,800 bottles launched, it represents one 2025’s most noteworthy rye choices, worthy of point out alongside the Iowa-distilled Templeton Single Barrel Rye as the most effective rye new rye whiskey releases at $50 or much less.
In case you encounter one of many restricted bottles within the wild, don’t go it up.
120.4 proof
A- / $43
Wheel Horse Barrel Grasp Choose Barrel Proof Rye
USD43
Visited 1 occasions, 1 go to(s) at present
