The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Rye Whiskey
BourbonIssue 79

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Rye Whiskey

Peerless · Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

$78108.7 proof4 YearLouisville, Kentucky, USA
Peerless demonstrates what happens when a family-owned distillery refuses to cut corners. This rye delivers intensity without aggression, and the non-chill-filtered, barrel-strength approach lets the limestone-filtered water and sweet mash process speak clearly. A serious whiskey at a fair price.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Upfront rye spice gives way to caramel and charred oak. There's a persistent floral note — almost like dried carnation — woven through layers of dark cocoa and toasted pecan.

Palate

Full and assertive, with rye grain leading the charge. Butterscotch and leather develop mid-palate, balanced by a surprising burst of cherry sweetness. The mouthfeel is viscous without being heavy.

Finish

Long and warming, with charred oak and brown spices lingering well past the swallow. A whisper of maple syrup closes it out.

Specifications
Mash Bill
Rye-forward (undisclosed exact proportions)
Barrel Type
New charred American oak, #3 char
Bottled in Bond
No
Single Barrel
No
Wheated
No
Serve & Pair

Cocktail Suggestion

Louisville Mineral — 2 oz Peerless Rye · 0.75 oz Carpano Antica Formula · 0.25 oz Cherry Heering · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir over ice, strain into coupe, garnish with brandied cherry.

Food Pairing

Smoked duck breast with cherry compote

The Story

Revived in 2015 by the Taylor family after an 80-year hiatus, Kentucky Peerless Distilling uses sweet mash fermentation and limestone-filtered Louisville water to craft whiskey entirely on-site in their compact downtown distillery.

Train These Aromas
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