Peerless Rye Whiskey Review

by Colonel Steve Akley

Finally, we are into what this blog was designed to be… bourbon talk.

I recently received a bottle from the team at Kentucky Peerless Distilling in Louisville, Kentucky. The brand represents founder Corky Taylor bringing back a family business, after 98 years, that had been open from 1896 – 1917.

Peerless was coming on an upcoming episode of The Bourbon Daily so they sent a bottle so I could try the product since it’s not available in St. Louis. I have to say, when it arrived, the package is beautiful. It came in a cardboard box that showcases this amazing bottle. It truly is a work of art.

Of course, we always say a great bottle means one of two things with no middle ground. It can be a clear indicator the company believes that they have such a quality product they want the consumer to see the care that was used in making it by making the outside as beautiful as the taste of the bourbon on the inside of the bottle.

The flip side… well, are they trying to trick you into thinking you are buying a quality product?

After tasting it… whoa… whoa…. whooooooooaaaaa!

It’s quality all the way. So good. It’s literally like a sweet, bread pudding taste as you take a sip which yields to an awesome match stick of pepper and cinnamon. The intensity dissipates quickly leaving you with the famous, “old familiar sting” I like to talk about.

My buddy Jeremy Schell summed this offering up best. He didn’t want to like it. It’s a 2-year-old product in a really nice bottle. He initially wrote it off before trying it. Like me, he fell in love from the first sip. It tastes like a much older offering with its complex characteristics and the barrel strength really give it the punch you want as a true fan.

Peerless has a great thing going with this first offering. It makes you excited for what’s to come. I can’t wait to see… and taste, more!