Spirit Of The Week: Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof Hickory Syrup Barrel Finished Whisky

Hickory syrup barrels endow an already terrific rye with a chewy mouthfeel, smoky notes, and flavors of chocolate and toffee.

As fans of Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. we’re eager when any new bottle finds its way into our mailbox. Such is the case with the excellent Virginia distillery’s latest twist on its Roundstone Rye expression — a very limited run called Cask Proof Hickory Syrup Barrel Finished Whisky set to be released this week. 

This latest experiment starts life as Catoctin Creek’s award-winning Roundstone Rye (Double Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition) aged for two years in their traditional American white oak barrels. Then the whiskey is poured into a barrel used to age hickory syrup from Falling Bark Farm, where the already terrific rye picks up a chewy mouthfeel and flavors of chocolate and toffee. 

The Virginia on Virginia collaboration results in a smoky whisky which also features notes of honey, leather, sour apple and raw tobacco. This will be a rare release, as Catoctin Creek promises the Cask Proof Hickory Syrup Barrel Finished Whisky most likely won’t be available again for some time. 

Bottled at a potent cask strength (120-proof/60% ABV), this Spirit Of the Week will be available this week at a handful of retailers, Catoctin Creek’s online store, and via Buy Virginia Rye for the state’s residents only.

Follow Contributing Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.