Distillery: Undisclosed—Distilled in Indiana
Proof: 109.4 (54.7% ABV)
Age: Four Years Plus Undisclosed Additional Aging (see below)
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
MSRP: $68
Old School Rye, New School Finish
King’s Family Distillery, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is making a name for itself with a hands-on approach to blending and finishing. Founded by industry veterans Justin and Cara King, the distillery takes particular pride in transparency for sourced whiskey (primarily from MGP), authenticity, and bold flavor. Their Ryeconic line—a mashup of “rye” and “iconic”—is a showcase of their philosophy: using a familiar foundation and amplifying it through creative Secondary Finishing.
This Twice Barreled Straight Rye Whiskey begins with a 95% rye, 5% malted barley mashbill, a classic base sourced and aged for four years. What sets it apart is the second maturation in honey casks, adding a rich and unexpected twist.
Bottled at 109.4 proof, it’s an expression that attempts to balance spice-forward rye character with the lush sweetness of barrel-aged honey.
Ryeconic Twice Barreled Straight Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 3.6/5
Orange blossom leads the way, offering a soft and slightly floral introduction that catches the attention without overwhelming. As it opens, faint notes of raw honey and baking spice emerge, obviously hinting at the cask finish. It’s an approachable and clean Nose.
Palate – 4.2/5
The Palate hits with cloves up front—a classic rye spice note that deepens into a rich bittersweetness. The mouthfeel is big, coating the tongue with layers that bring together black tea, cocoa nibs, and subtle molasses notes. The honey cask finish acts as a sweetening agent, rounding out the spice edges and giving the whiskey an somewhat lavish profile.
Finish – 3/5
The Finish is medium-long and flowing, offering a gentle tapering from the richer Palate notes. A touch of acidity—reminiscent of citrus peel or lightly tannic fruit—emerges toward the end, adding brightness but also a slight imbalance that keeps it from a fully satisfying conclusion.
Value – 4/5
At $68, Ryeconic Twice Barreled Rye offers a strong value for fans of finished rye whiskeys. It may not have the polish of older age-stated competitors, but its proof, secondary maturation, and flavor intensity give it enough uniqueness to stand out. For those seeking a rye that is a little different, this bottle justifies its place on the shelf.
Ryeconic Twice Barreled Straight Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict
Ryeconic Twice Barreled Straight Rye Whiskey is a creative, full-bodied pour that finds its way due to the cask influence rather than age alone. It’s not flawless—especially in the Finish—but the flavor journey and mouthfeel are compelling.
Verdict – 3.7/5
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
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.