Military Rye Review: Stellum Rye

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Stellum Rye

History – Stellum Rye. The Stellum name is a derivative of the Latin word Stella for star. Stellum is definitely a shining star when it comes to blending. This Cask Strength Rye is a blend of 95% Rye Indiana mash bill, small amounts of barley-forward ryes, and choice barrels from Kentucky and Tennessee folded in slowly, through a multi-step blending process. This showcases the rye with multiple layers of depth and complexity, in the end allowing them to round out a flavor profile unique to Stellum. With their process, each blend will not be batched, so every product, rather than being unique will be the same each time. 

Stellum Rye has won numerous awards:

San Francisco World Spirits Competition  (2021) – DOUBLE GOLD

Ultimate Spirits Challenge  (2021) – 94 points

Ascot Awards  (2021) – DOUBLE PLATINUM

​John Barleycorn Awards  (2021) – GOLD

L.A.. Spirits Awards  (2021) – PLATINUM, BEST RYE WHISKEY, BEST WHISKEY

New York International Spirits Competition  (2021) – DOUBLE GOLD

Value – This rye would probably be more attractive if it was a little cheaper. It just doesn’t impress me enough to buy it again at its current price. There are better rye whiskeys out there for cheaper.

Appearance – This bottle resembles a very classy, tall and slender wine bottle. It has very basic labeling with the typical green rye label. It also comes with a nice corked top. It is filled with a deeper copper colored rye whiskey. It looks very clean, but very basic.

Nose – Delicate Aroma / Low Alcohol Fumes / Rye Grain / Sweet / Spicy  This is the most wonderful part of this pour. The nose is very light and delicate. It has a very low amount of alcohol fumes which allows you to get a nice pull of rye grain followed by light caramel and a very delicate and faint, fruity sweetness. Along with the sweetness, there is a strong baking spice note of nutmeg and cardamom. This balances out the nose quite well. This nose really reminds me of spiked eggnog.

Palate – Strong Alcohol Fumes / Strong Rye / Honey. This was really a big disappointment after that incredible nose. The rye tastes young, watery and lacks complexity. It is very rye forward with a slight hint of honey. The higher proof really doesn’t help the rye at all. It  masks the flavors that they intended to bring out and in my opinion hurts the overall quality of this pour. 

Finish – Strong Rye / Dry / Low Burn. The finish isn’t anything to really talk about. It’s very basic with a typical rye grain note and low alcohol burn. It is very dry as a rye should be and leaves you thirsty. A positive note, the burn is very low on the finish and disappears quickly. That is pretty impressive considering it’s 116 proof.

Summary – Overall, it’s slightly above average in my opinion. The nose on this one really sets your standards high because it’s exceptionally good. Unfortunately, the palate and finish dont hold up to the nose and that’s what creates disappointment. I wonder if this rye was proofed down, would the flavors in the palate come out more and balance it out. I am impressed that the burn on the finish is so minimal. Stellum did a very good job on that one. I would recommend that any rye lover should give this one a try. The nose alone is worth the experience. Just don’t set yourself up for disappointment like I did.

Uniqueness – 1-10 – 6

Appearance- 1-10 – 7

Nose- 1-20 – 18

Palate- 1-20 – 9

Finish- 1-20 – 10

Value- 1-20 – 10