Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: Milam & Greene Whiskey—Blanco, Texas

Proof: 94.0 (47.0% ABV)

Age: At least three years; up to five years

Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $52

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Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye Whiskey: A Complex Journey — Missed Expectations

Blanco, Texas-based Milam & Greene Whiskey has crafted several award-winning whiskeys by blending tradition and innovation. Their Port Cask Finished Rye Whiskey starts with a rather robust rye and seeks to layer additional flavors through a secondary aging process.

The rye’s journey starts at MGP in Indiana.  Distilled using a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill, it is aged in Indiana before being transported to Texas. After arrival to the Lone Star State, the rye takes on a secondary aging in used Port Wine Casks.  The secondary finishing aim is to impart new flavors as the whiskey absorbs the rich and fruity character of the fortified wine.

The hot Texas climate with its temperature extremes aids to accelerate the interaction between the whiskey and the casks.

Let’s take a closer inspection of this expression to see how the port wine influence affects the rye’s classic spice.

Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

The Nose is heavily fruit forward, with sweet notes of red ripe berries and figs. If there is any hint of the classic rye spice on the Nose, then I’m not finding it. There is, however, a subtleness of toasted oak.

Palate – 2.5/5

On the Palate, the rye spice bursts immediately forward and is absolutely overpowering notes of cinnamon.  There is a slight hint of orange peel citrus, but it is difficult to detect under the strong spice making this a one-dimensional whiskey on the Palate. One saving grace is the rich and velvety mouthfeel.

Finish – 1/5

The Finish is long but not enjoyable due to the significant tannic aftertaste that overwhelms the experience and leaves a bitter, distracting note.    

Value – 2.5/5

With a $52 MSRP, Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye sits easily in the mid-tier price range.  It is an excellent example of a premium secondary-finished rye that unfortunatley misses the mark. The complexity brought by the port cask aging elevates this whiskey to a level that stands out in its price range.

Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye is a beautiful marriage of bold rye spice and luscious port cask influence. The interplay of flavors makes it a versatile bottle, enjoyable neat, with a splash of water, or as the star ingredient in a cocktail.

Verdict – 2.5/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3