Based on
4 categories
Devils River Small Batch Texas Rye
Distillery: Devils River, San Antonio, TX
Mash Bill: 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Malted Barley
Age: Less than 10 Years
Style: Rye
ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
Price: $35
Overall: This could be a good introductory rye, or a rye for a non-rye drinker who shies away from a peppery flavor profile. However, its not particularly representative of the category. The Devils River Rye would best be served as a mixer and is fairly unremarkable as a neat pour.
Background: The Devils River, the distillery’s namesake, which runs from Hill Country to West Texas, was originally called the Saint Peter River by early missionaries. However, as more settlers arrived in Texas, they renamed the river after Lucifer himself, due to the forbidding nature of the waterway and surrounding terrain. The Devils River Distillery, founded many years later in 2017, in the heart of downtown San Antonio, produces a variety of whiskies, to include a Small Batch Bourbon, a Coffee Bourbon, and Agave Bourbon, a Cinnamon Bourbon, among others.
Nose: Rye spice and herbs on the nose.
Palate: Thin mouthfeel with some lighter almost floral notes, with oak, and caramel. Not much of a rye bite or flavor profile, almost felt like an Irish whiskey. The high amount of corn and malted barley really mellows out the rye characteristics.
Finish: No heat on the finish, with light oak and caramel, with some hints of anise.
Conclusion: There is a lot to be desired with the Devils River Small Batch Texas Rye. Sometimes ryes that veer off the classic rye path are outstanding in their own right for the uniqueness of the expression, or a bold venturing outside of box. The Devils River Rye is not that. It is a generally unremarkable rye that would likely disappoint for a neat pour. At this price point, there are better ryes.
