Distillery: Manifest Distilling
Proof: 100
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Rye and Red Wheat)
BACKGROUND: Manifest Distilling is a craft whiskey distillery in Jacksonville, FL. They launched in 2015 with inspiration from his Grandfather who built a successful entertainment business in Aruba and a chain of liquor stores in FL. They wanted to take a creative approach to distilling which can be seen in their spirits, bottles, and distillery. They have a full portfolio of spirits producing potato vodka, citrus vodka, new world style gin, barrel aged whiskey, and rye whiskey. They have 2 different rye whiskeys, a 100% rye whiskey and this straight rye whiskey that blends together rye grains and red wheat grains to have a softened rye whiskey. Each batch is mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled at the distillery. They currently age their whiskey in a combination of 30 and 53 gallon barrels and is bottled at 100 proof. The higher bottle proof and addition of wheat to the mash bill makes the perfect Manhattan.
NOSE: A nice delicate and floral nose with scents of parsley, roasted marshmellow, orange citrus, sweet vanilla, and a nice sharp rye spice. There is also some delicate wheat notes that really bring the nose together. I would describe this as a sweet, spry, and dessert like nose. (21/25)
PALATE: Up front there are notes of young oak, freshly baked rye bread that was drizzled with honey and some vanilla. There are also some sweet dried out apricot and date notes that flirted with my tongue in the background. The wheat in the mashbill softens the rye in a really nice way giving this whiskey a nice mouthfeel while not being too spicy. There is a youthfulness to this whiskey but I am sure that if it aged to about 4 - 6 years in the Florida heat it would be incredible. (33/40)
FINISH: The finish is medium in length made up mostly of young oak, barrel char, and rye spice. It left my mouth wet and wanting another sip. (21/25)
VALUE: Manifest Straight Rye has a $42 SRP which is a really good price for this unique and flavorful rye whiskey. (7/10)
Overall: 82/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Manifest Straight Rye Whiskey is a really tasty and unique rye whiskey. The wheat in the mashbill adds a nice delicacy and softens the rye spice and bite. It really makes for a very enjoyable and approachable rye whiskey. There is a subtle sweetness to it that we really enjoyed. We would recommend this whiskey to anyone who enjoys soft wheat notes, rye whiskey, or sweeter whiskey. Manifest Distilling makes some great whiskey so be sure to check out their whiskey and their upcoming releases.
Similar & Slightly Better Whiskey: Traverse City North Coast Rye
Similar & Equal Whiskey: Buffalo Trace Kosher Straight Rye
Similar & Slightly Worse Whiskey: FEW Rye Whiskey
Tell us what you think and give us some feedback!
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away