Review: Elvis Whiskey – The King Rye and Tiger Man Tennessee Whiskey
Review: Elvis Whiskey – The King Rye and Tiger Man Tennessee Whiskey
Yes, that Elvis.
Charleston, South Carolina-based Grain & Barrel Spirits is producing this Elvis Presley inspired duo of whiskeys, joining numerous other brands in the G&B lineup, including Chicken Cock Whiskey, Dixie Vodka, and Virgil Kaine Lowcountry Whiskey.
The two expressions of Elvis are sourced from two different distilleries in different states — neither in South Carolina — and are bottled in Tennessee. We’ll talk about the details of each in turn.
Both are 90 proof.
Elvis Rye “The King” – 2 year old MGP stock from Indiana. You want a spicy rye? You got it: This whiskey is bold and aggressive with ultra-green, grassy notes — well peppered and layered with barrel char. Some spice is evident, but it’s kept in the background as those greener notes dominate. On the palate, the whiskey’s youth continues to dominate, again showcasing a grassy character that’s at least somewhat balanced by sweeter notes of butterscotch and vanilla. A combination of both endures on the finish, the peppery rye never fading far from sight and imbuing the finish with a particular pungency. All told, it’s all very familiar, and while it’s perfectly approachable for a young rye, it’s nothing that will knock any whiskey fan’s socks off. Would The King have enjoyed this? Certainly. Does it change the game of whiskeydom? Not in the slightest. B / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Elvis Whiskey “Tiger Man” – Not marketed as bourbon, this is 2 year old “Tennessee Straight Whiskey” from an unknown distillery. A classic peanut butter — veering closer to butter pecan — character kicks off the nose here, with some rumbling barrel char evident on the nose. Sweet and chewy on the palate, with flavors of roasted peanuts and banana, plus a touch of maple syrup — could there be a little bit of Elvis himself creeping into the whiskey? Some baking spice notes, cloves mainly, liven things up late in the game, but it’s that somewhat sugary banana brittle character that remains on point throughout. Like the rye, this is a youthful and simple whiskey that doesn’t exactly shock the senses — but which doesn’t harm them, either. B / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Elvis Rye "The King"
$45
