UNBENDT Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: Bendt Distilling Company—Lewisville, Texas

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: 5+ Years

Mashbill: Elbon Rye, Triticale Hybrid Grain, Malted Barley and Oats

MSRP: $60

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UNBENDT Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey: A Distinctive Mashbill

Unbendt Unblended Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey redefines the term “distinctive mashbill.”  With a blend of Elbon Rye, Triticale Hybrid Grain, Maris Otter Malted Barley, and Naked Streaker Oats, each grain adds its own characteristic.

• Elbon Rye — grown primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, is known for its earthy, robust flavor and high protein content. From this we might expect a spicier, more full-bodied whiskey.
• Triticale — a hybrid grain that combines rye and wheat offering the peppery spice of rye with softer, sweeter notes of wheat.
• Maris Otter Malted Barley — typically used in craft brewing, is known for its nutty, biscuit-like flavors and rich maltiness. Its inclusion likely adds a toasted quality.
• Naked Streaker Oats — a hull-less oat variety that is known to contribute a creamy mouthfeel and subtle sweetness.

This mashbill attempts to balance boldness, complexity, smoothness and sweetness making this an intriguing expression.  Aged for at least five years and bottled at 100-proof to adhere to the Bottled-in-Bond designation, I look forward to digging into this expression.

UNBENDT Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

Bright and floral, the Nose greeted me with fresh spearmint and a surprisingly significant oakiness plus sweet undertones of caramelized sugar.

Palate – 3.75/5

Spice-forward with a huge burst of cinnamon and nutmeg.  Notes of honey and toffee. Mid-Palate, there’s roasted nuts and an oddly endearing layer of char. The mouthfeel is rich and full-bodied.

Finish – 3.5/5

The Finish is long and hot.  Lingering notes of charred oak along with a light touch of cocoa.  A dry tannic edge.

Value – 3.75/5

MSRP of $60, Unbendt Unblended Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is a good value.  It has a significantly complex mix of flavors and none of the typical “Texas funk” often associated with some Texas-distilled whiskeys.

UNBENDT Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Unbendt Unblended Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey delivers a good balance of spice, sweetness, and complexity. If this were a $40-$50 bottle, it would be solid gold.

Verdict – 3.75/5

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