"I had no idea how much I would like these Stellum releases"
Before I had made my purchases of both Stellum Bourbon and Rye. There were a large amount of social posts scrolling across my screen. Everyone seemed to be talking about these new entries into the Straight Bourbon and Straight Rye Whiskey categories. After some time, these expressions made it to my area and I quickly picked up both. After sampling for myself, those initial reviews proved very true on the quality of experience from these new expressions.
The Narrative:
Barrell Craft Spirits decided to form a new brand offering high quality whiskey that was more accessible in both price and local availability than their Barrell brand limited batch releases. From this Stellum Spirits was born.
From the bottle back label ; “Stellum Spirits is driven by progress, critical thinking, and—above all—attention to detail. We’re devoted to bringing American whiskey into the modern age with simple, elegant blends and single barrels selected with care and intention.”
Additionally, from the main page of their website; “We will always think critically about how to make our whiskey better and more accessible.”
Stellum Rye
Origin: Stellum Spirits; Louisville, KY
Distiller: Sourced Distillate from Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Cask strength blend of Straight Rye Whiskey
From Stellum Spirits website; “The identity of Stellum Rye is rooted in a tried and true 95% Rye Indiana mash bill. To enhance this classic style, we incorporate small amounts of more barley-forward rye and choice barrels from both Kentucky and Tennessee.”
Cask: New Charred White Oak
Age: NAS (No Age Statement)
Distillate in the blend range in age from 4 to 10 years old.
ABV/Proof: 58.12% / 116.24 Proof
Price: Varies by Region (Picked up locally for $54.99)
Additionally: Non-chill filtered
Stellum Rye Review
Color: Tawny
Nose/Aroma: Instantly hit with a nose full of delicious rye spice. Light cinnamon, some caramel, green apple, and spicy oak.
Palate/Body: Delicious spice carries through from the nose along with cinnamon, green apple. Medium body around the glass.
Finish: Medium long finish of bubble gum, mint, and oak. A dryness in the pour is present at the end.
Overall: I had no idea how much I would like these Stellum releases. I thought they would be good no doubt. But I have since gone back for backups of my first two bottles. I’m trying to get back to my “no back ups rule”. But these purchases lately are just too good.
If I were forced to pick a favorite it would have to be this one. The rye is just so enjoyable. I think it would be difficult to lose interest in these expressions. High proof whiskey always gives you more options as a consumer. Today’s whiskey enthusiast continues to want that flexibility. They say that this brand’s bourbon and rye blends will focus on consistency of flavor profile. I think that their approach of offering excellent high proof whiskey at an accessible price point will be fantastic for the consumer.
This blend of straight rye whiskeys is an achievement for the new Stellum brand. It’s hard to find good cask strength whiskey regularly in any given area. Some enthusiasts may have great local stores that get barrel picks. But even in my highly populated area those can be hard to come by. I look forward to seeing Stellum regularly on the shelf. Either for myself or as a gift to a friend. As I mentioned above, I think it provides a great experience from start to finish.
Have you tried this particular expression? What did you think? Leave a comment below!
Drink well friends! 
