Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye

I have a hard time finding bourbon and rye sub $50 to get amped over because, for the most part, everything just tastes kind of the same. I'm a fan of small distilleries that put in the work to create a product worth seeking rather than just another brand. Catoctin Creek is currently my favorite in the category. Rye is particularly messy to distill and many of your favorite bottles have probably outsourced the work to a massive contract distiller. The differences are so obvious when you compare them with a bottle like this. What's special about the Roundstone is a fruity quality, something I don't usually pick up right away on a rye. It's proofed such that you can sip it neat, and I suggest you do. Round texture brings fruit to the palate and fresh baked bread. It makes an exuberant Manhattan mixed with Vya vermouth.