New Whisky Ratings: Little Book Chapter 7, Isle of Skye 25 Year Old, Hemingway Rye, and More
September 5, 2023 –––––– Whisky Advocate
Our latest crop of new ratings includes two scotch whiskies, two bourbons, and one rye. Among the scotch whiskies is a highly rated 25 year old from the Isle of Skye label, which at $210 represents a relative bargain in the world of ultra-aged spirits. The other scotch is an unusual one—leading with malted rye, accompanied by malted barley to fill out the rest of the mashbill recipe. Elsewhere, we rate Little Book’s Chapter 7 In Retrospect, which combines the subtotal of master distiller Freddie Noe’s body of work on this project, and it’s excellent. Also checking in is Hemingway rye, a relative newcomer with a mission to make top-flight rye whiskeys in Kentucky. Read on for more details.
95 Little Book Chapter 07: In Retrospect, 59.01%, $150
A blend of the six preceding Little Book releases along with a new component. In total, it includes five straight bourbons aged 18, 17 10, 9, and 4 years, a 5 year old straight malt whiskey finished in applewood-smoked barrels, and a 4 year old straight rye. Tasting notes: Freshly baked chocolate brownies, pancake batter, generous cinnamon, raspberry preserves, cigar box, and an explosive chocolate finish. A complete whiskey, the best Little Book yet. 
94 Isle of Skye 25 year old, 40%, $210
Isle of Skye is a blended scotch whisky range (8, 12, 18, 21, 25, and 30 year old) from Ian Macleod Distillers, owner of the Glengoyne, Rosebank, and Tamdhu distilleries. Talisker, which is on Skye, is at the core of this blend, along with Speyside and Lowland whiskies. Tasting notes: Cola, allspice, red apple, licorice, leather, gingerbread, clove, black tea, peaty embers, dark toffee, and milk chocolate. A 25 year old that offers great value for the money.
93 Hemingway Signature Edition Rye, 51%, $80
Created by entrepreneur Steve Groth and 7th-generation master distiller Ron Call, in collaboration with Ron’s two sons Jacob and Clayton, this Kentucky company focuses on rye rather than bourbon. Their ryes are easy and very sippable—not too much of a wild and spicy ride for this one, though it’s more than up to the task. Tasting notes: Fresh rye grain, sweet notes of vanilla frosting, ripe red berries, and lemon, enveloped in a creamy texture.
92 Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond 10 year old Bourbon (Spring 2023 Release), 50%, $140
This is the Spring 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald, bottled at the tail end of the spring season, which runs from January through June—hence its relatively late arrival. It’s a blend of bourbons made during the 2013 spring season. Tasting notes: Dried herbs, warm caramel, raisins, cinnamon spice, quince spread, chocolate, hot chocolate, it’s rich and dark, flourless chocolate cake, veering on baking chocolate, earthiness, dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, and some ripe zingy raspberry.
92 RyeLaw, 46.3%, $140
The inaugural release from Lowlands distillery IncDairnie, which began producing single malt and this malted single grain expression in earnest back in 2017. RyeLaw is made from 53% malted rye and 47% malted barley, an unusual combination for barley-centric Scotland. Tasting notes: Black currant, toffee, vanilla, punchy spices, and golden syrup, with a rye spiciness that takes center stage over creamy vanilla, clove, and toffee. A stunning debut.
