Three Chord RIOT Double Bonded Rye Review

Distillery: MGP and Bardstown Bourbon Co.

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Four to Seven Years

Mashbill: 86% Rye, 9% Corn, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $50

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Bold Concept.  Quick Exit.

Three Chord’s blend of two bottled-in-bond rye whiskeys pushes the boundaries of the BiB definition.  RIOT is the first release to merge two Bottled-in-Bond ryes, one distilled at MGP, the other at Bardstown Bourbon Company.  This structure required explicit approval from the TTB, marking an unusual moment when a regulatory interpretation may have reshaped the possibilities for rye whiskey.The RIOT label features The Darts, an all-female garage-punk band whose sound leans raw energy, driving rhythm, and an edginess that is unpolished.  The branding matches the whiskey:  something loud, defiant, and willing to take a swing outside the norm.  The question is whether the whiskey itself carries well.

Three Chord RIOT Double Bonded Rye Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 3.7/5

Sweet citrus.  Light lemon.  Green herbal edges.  Soft candy sweetness.

Strengths:  A wave of sweet citrus, leaning toward candied lemon.  Green herbal notes adds character  without becoming sharp.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The Nose plateaus quickly and doesn’t build.  The herbaceous quality feels somewhat unfinished.
Rating Justification:   Pleasant.  Clear notes.  Not layered enough to reach higher marks.

Palate – 3.8/5

Full mouth coating.  Tangy mid-tone citrus.  Green herbal character.  Light medicinal edge.

Strengths:  Excellent texture—full and coating.  Mid-Palate shows a tangy “pop” of citrus that carries nicely across the sip.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The “green” note feels underdeveloped.  A slight medicinal tone interrupts an otherwise smooth Palate.
Rating Justification:  Flavors are solid.  The gaps in structure keeps it from moving higher.

Finish – 3.2/5

Short.  Light menthol.  Soft herbal fade.   

Strengths:  The menthol note is refreshing.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The Finish is short, far shorter would be expected for a bottled-in-bond rye.  
Rating Justification:  Quick and clean.  Far too brief to help with the whiskey’s identity.

Value – 3.7/5

At $50, the Value is solid based on uniqueness of concept, transparency, and proof point.  The innovation behind blending two Bottled-in-Bond ryes carries a degree of enthusiast appeal.  The price point hits the mark for a whiskey that offers originality and a unique place in the market.

Three Chord RIOT Double Bonded Rye Review: The Verdict

Three Chord Riot Double Bonded Rye delivers an enjoyable pour built around sweet citrus and coating texture.  However, the experience is held back by a short Finish, green edges, and moments where the flavor development feels incomplete.  A creative release with flashes of character, the whiskey is a worthwhile pour for those interested in Three Chord’s innovative blending philosophy. Shop now.

Verdict – 3.6/5

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