Relatively new on the scene, Thistle Finch Distillery calls Lancaster, PA, home. Within Lancaster, the distillery houses itself in an old tobacco warehouse. Though light on backstory or history of the distillery, they do promote the re-whiskeying of Pennsylvania as a goal. As such, they focus primarily on various rye whiskeys but also produce a gin and vodka. Their flagship product is an un-aged white rye. Today, however, we look at their aged rye with the Thistle Finch Straight Rye Whiskey review.

Thistle Finch Straight Rye contains a mash bill of 60% rye, 30% wheat, and 10% malted barley. The rye and wheat are sourced from nearby counties and distilled on site making it a highly local whiskey. With an age statement of minimum two years, this rye clocks in at 90 proof (45% ABV). According to my bottle (#37 from batch #5) the distilling method employs hand made copper pots and charred oak barrels for aging. With that, let’s see how this bird sings!

Bottle and Appearance

In the bottle, Thistle Finch Rye protrudes a bronze copper hue – not uncommon for a rye. In the glass, it largely retains its color profile and displays a moderate viscosity. Giving it a swirl allows for a nice display of staggering slow and fast legs. Though classy in appearance, the information shared via the labels amounts to standard fare of aging length and proof. However, Thistle Finch does offer a 375 ml bottle which is a nice option. Without much backstory and a relatively small presence, this allows a prospective buyer to try it at a lighter upfront commitment.

Nose

Lifting it to the nose creates a deep and penetrating drying effect. The profile initially leads with raisins and cranberries upfront, while a brown tanned leather note grows and eventually dominates. A rich molasses factors in and provides a sense of hearty depth. Underneath everything lurks a wheat bran that effectively serves as a binding agent and holds it all together. The nose is enjoyable with a sense of movement as it smacks upfront before taking a rest and finally putting forth a strong finish.

Palate

In the mouth, this rye enters with an astringent factor. Rum soaked raisins instantly and strongly appear first, and eventually come to overall dominate the palate. Despite this initial dominance, other spices show up. First hints of peppercorn then dashes of allspice lead to a sense of rye more than an actuality. Within this milieu emerges a crisp and youthful wooden expression that resembles cedar. While quite tasty and smooth, the body on this one feels light for a rye. It also plays a bit of second fiddle to the nose. Nevertheless it comes across as enjoyable and easy.

Finish

Moving through to the finish, the shadow of rye from the palate really steps into the light and allows itself to be known. Additionally, the raisins and wood also carry through from the palate. Chewing tobacco enters the mix, perhaps drawing from the distilleries physical quarters. (Though certainly not uncommon for a rye.) Finally despite playing it mostly safe, an off-taste burnt note emerges. Ultimately this doesn’t derail an otherwise unsurprising and conservative finish. One that essentially carries on rather than offers something new. Still, pretty enjoyable.

Drinkability

Thistle Finch Straight rye works either neat or on the rocks. Adding ice brings out an almost champagne grape bite to the whiskey. It also firms it up a bit in both taste and body. Pour a glass of this whiskey after cruising on a motorcycle along rocky cliffs overlooking the sea to maintain the cool, easy attitude.

Food Pairing

For this rye, serve up some steamed lobster with butter over garlic aioli linguine. This rye’s direct and sweet-spice nature plays well accompanying the broader somewhat round flavor profile of the lobster.

Facial Hair Rating

Thistle Finch Straight Rye receives the Horseshoe Facial Hair Rating. There is a sense of directness despite the lack of a direction. It may be trying for tough guy appeal, but feels more comfortable than radical. Perhaps like an old outlaw biker who buys a nice house in the suburbs with a white picket fence.

Overall

To conclude Thistle Finch Straight Rye Whiskey Review – enjoyable and predictable. There really aren’t any defects with this whiskey. The nose, palate and finish all generally work and offer up nice and even very good flavors. That being said, this whiskey also feels like it’s playing it safe and worries about deviating from the rye expression in any meaningful way. In a sense, it doesn’t offer something new. It’s a bit like pepperoni pizza or a hamburger – always there and always good but generally not exciting or the pièce de résistance. While that may come across as a negative, let me ask this – who doesn’t like pizza or burgers?

Final Grade: B

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