TBWC Empire Rye 2YO 500mL

The nose is vibrant and spicy, with assertive notes of freshly milled rye grain, peppermint, and dark caramel. Herbal and earthy layers emerge—dill, fennel seed, and pine sap—along with a background sweetness of burnt sugar and toasted oak. It’s unmistakably rye-forward and full of youthful energy. On the palate, it’s brisk, dry, and grippy. Cracked black pepper, ginger root, and clove dominate the first sip, supported by toffee apple, green cardamom, and rye bread crust. There’s a subtle fruitiness—cherry skin and orange zest—intertwined with a nutty, tannic edge from the oak. The spirit is bold and unpolished in a way that showcases its youth proudly. The finish is medium-length, spicy and drying—leaving echoes of anise, grain husk, and bitter citrus peel, with a final herbal snap.