Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye Whiskey Collaboration

Born 40 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George A. Dickel was an established Nashville merchant when he entered the whisky business. Dickel grew his reputation for selling the smoothest, most mellow spirits in the region, and when the Cascade Hollow Distillery opened in 1878 in neighboring Coffee County, Dickel bought a large share. Thus, Geo. A. Dickel & Co. was born. George Dickel followed in the Scottish tradition of spelling whisky without an “e.”

George Dickel preferred whisky made in the winter months more than summer months because he felt it made the whisky taste smoother, so the company began advertising their Geo. A. Dickel’s Cascade Tennessee Whisky as “Mellow as Moonlight.” This is why their whisky is chilled before undergoing the charcoal-mellow filtration known as the Lincoln County Process. This extra step smooths out the flavor and we’re still the only Tennessee distillery to do it.

For this special release, George Dickel Whiskey has teamed up with the Leopold Bros to produce an innovative rye whisky offering. The release blends George Dickel’s column still rye produced at Cascade Hollow Distillery with Leopold Bros’ Three Chamber Rye to recreate a historic style. This union between column distilled rye and Three Chamber distilled rye turns back the hands of time, returning to an era that saw heavy-bodied rye whisky served at bars and saloons throughout America. The Cascade Hollow component of this blend is a never-before released traditional column still rye.

Tasting Notes
Nose: A creamy malt scent with a herbal underpinning is soft and welcoming. Leaning more sweet thanks to additional scents of vanilla and cinnamon roll frosting, it’s also not without moments of pungent spice and cinnamon bark. A touch of raw cedar against an infusion of additional baking spice creates an aroma that is quite inviting. Yet, it’s the aroma’s herbal aspect that’s weaved throughout that provides the whiskey’s nose with ample depth and flair.

Palate: Creamy malt returns, but in a tangible sense. Buttery and even oily at times, the palate is also somehow light and feathery. It accomplishes this by being delicate, offering notes of sweet cream, buttercream, and caramel apple gracefully. With the return of herbal notes in the form of sage and green tea, the sip manages to continually surprise you when you least expect it. Tasting lower than its proof allows the rye to be quite approachable.

Finish: A beautiful crescendo of heat filled with rye spice and cinnamon drives this whiskey home. The sudden pop of oak, chai tea, nutmeg, butter, and baked apples proves to be a satisfying combination. A twinge of herbal notes continues into the aftertaste, and acts as more of a reminder of what has come before than an active component of the finish. A well done ending to the sip allowing it to close out on an excellent note.