Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: MGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Proof: 130.1 (65.6% ABV)

Age: Five+ Years

Mashbill: Undisclosed ratio of blue and yellow corn, rye and malted barley

MSRP: $90

---

Proof.  Power.  A Blue Corn Twist.

Smokeye Hill’s Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey represents, as far as we call tell from in-depth research, the first rye whiskey with the use of blue corn in its mashbill.  Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and matured over five years in the high desert altitude of Colorado Springs, this October 2025 release brings together rye’s trademark spice coupled with the sweetness of heirloom blue corn.

While most ryes rely solely on rye grain and a small amount of malted barley, Smokeye Hill’s inclusion of both blue and yellow corn seems to soften the edges of the rye spice. 

Bottled unfiltered at a hefty 131.2 proof. 8400 bottles were released in October 2025.

Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.2/5

Sweet liniment.  Pine resin.  Butterscotch.

Strengths:  Bursts upward with an energy matching the proof—herbal, woody, and sweet in quick succession.  There’s a campfire depth that plays well with a faint medicinal sweetness.
Why It’s Not Higher:  A short rest in the glass helps open it up.  An initial sharpness takes away from the Nose.
Rating Justification:   Lively and layered.  Sets the stage for a big, spicy pour while keeping a sweet corn undercurrent.

Palate – 3.8/5

Black pepper.  Tart citrus.  Toasted oak.  Dried apricot. 

Strengths:  The front is all power—pepper and oak—before yielding to some citrus tartness.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The proof drowns out nuance.  Absent of some added water, the rye spice commands attention and leaves less room for the softer corn.
Rating Justification:  Fleeting moments of finesse poke through the high-proof influence.

Finish – 4.0/5

Long.  Tannic.  Honeyed oak.  Black tea.  Warm spice.  

Strengths:  Extended length—dry and memorable.  Lingering black tea note.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Slight overly tannic.  Dry oak overtakes sweetness near the end.
Rating Justification:  Confident.  Not subtle.  Consistently bold.

Value – 4.2/5

At $90, Smokeye Hill delivers something rare experience—barrel-proof, unfiltered rye with heirloom blue corn, aged at altitude.  It holds strong Value for enthusiasts who savor something unique in a cask-strength craft rye.  The use of blue corn—typically used for higher-end bourbon experiments—adds some genuine distinction that elevates the overall experience.

Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey stands out for its innovation and strength.  The blue corn lends a bit of softness to the rye’s big-bold profile.  That said, I found time in the glass along with bringing down the proof point to around 100 makes for a much more enjoyable neat pour.  The full proof holds extraordinarily well in a Manhattan or Whiskey Sour.

Verdict – 4.1/5

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