A 95% rye whiskey with plenty of proof, plenty of character and a surprisingly rich side

This whiskey release comes with a little history attached.

The new Joseph Magnus 10 Year Cask Strength Rye Whiskey marks the return of rye to the Joseph Magnus portfolio for the first time since 1918, back when the original Joseph Magnus was still making whiskey before Prohibition brought production to a halt. More than a century later, rye is back. And thankfully, it didn’t come back quietly.

The new rye is a 95% rye whiskey, aged 10 years and 9 months and bottled at a hefty 113.44 proof (56.72% ABV). Suggested retail price is $74.99, which makes this an especially interesting bottle considering the age and proof.

A Very Long Way Back to Rye

Rye was an important part of the whiskey world when Joseph Magnus started his spirits business in the 1800s. Magnus founded his distillery in Cincinnati, Ohio, where rye was a prominent grain in the region. But in 1918, with Prohibition looming, Magnus stopped producing and selling whiskey.

The Magnus name eventually found its way back into the whiskey business generations later, helped along by the discovery of a remarkably old bottle of Murray Hill Club Whiskey by Joseph Magnus’ great-grandson, Jimmy Turner. That discovery helped inspire the modern revival of the brand.

Now the family story has another chapter.

Head Blender Will Fabry says bringing rye back was a natural move because the modern Magnus portfolio already leans toward bold, spice-forward whiskey. A 95% rye mash bill certainly isn’t a timid way to make the introduction.

So, How Does It Taste?

Here’s where things get interesting.

At more than 113 proof, you might expect the whiskey to walk into the room wearing combat boots. Instead, the first impression is considerably more welcoming.

The nose starts with crème brûlée, English toffee and maple pastry, followed by cherry cola, orange peel, dark chocolate and candied almond. Then the rye starts reminding you that it is, in fact, rye, bringing along clove and cracked pepper. Those official notes line up pretty nicely with what you want from a mature, high-rye whiskey.

On the palate, it’s rich and surprisingly velvety for something carrying this much alcohol. Caramelized sugar, dark chocolate, buttery toffee and cherry cola provide plenty of sweetness, while orange and candied citrus keep things from getting too heavy.

But the part I particularly like is what happens underneath all that sweetness.

There’s an earthy spice and a subtle salinity that give the whiskey a little more personality. The rye isn’t simply throwing pepper and clove at you and calling it a day. There’s a savory, almost mineral-like edge that helps balance the confectionary notes and gives the whiskey some depth.

The seasoned oak shows up, too, along with cracked pepper and clove. It’s a nice combination because the oak doesn’t completely take over the conversation. There’s plenty going on in the glass, but nothing feels like it’s trying too hard.

And that’s probably the biggest surprise here.

This is a 95% rye whiskey, but it isn’t all about spice.

There’s plenty of dessert in this bottle.

The Finish Has Some Staying Power

The finish hangs around nicely, with cocoa, toffee, caramelized sugar and orange zest gradually giving way to mature oak and rye spice.

The proof makes itself known, but it doesn’t simply leave behind a blast of alcohol. Instead, there’s a warm, gently drying quality with lingering pepper, clove, that earthy spice and just enough salinity to make you want another sip.

That’s generally a good sign.

Sips&Sites&Bites Review

Joseph Magnus 10 Year Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

95% rye | 10 years, 9 months | 113.44 proof | $74.99 MSRP

The good stuff: This is a serious rye without taking itself too seriously. The combination of rich caramel, dark chocolate, cherry cola and orange peel gives it a softer side, while pepper, clove, seasoned oak and that earthy, slightly saline character keep it firmly planted in rye territory.

The proof: 113.44 proof is substantial, but the whiskey carries it well. A few drops of water should be your friend here. It can open up some of those sweeter notes while taking the edge off the heat.

Best way to drink it: Start neat and give it some time in the glass. Then try a little water. This is the kind of whiskey that rewards messing with it a bit rather than following a strict set of rules.

Cocktail potential: Absolutely. At this proof and with that much rye character, it should have no trouble standing up to a Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Sazerac. But honestly, I’d spend some time drinking it neat before turning it into a cocktail.

The verdict: Highly Recommended.

There is something fun about a whiskey coming back after more than 100 years, but history alone doesn’t make a good pour. Fortunately, Joseph Magnus has given the rye comeback some real substance.

The 10 Year Cask Strength Rye is rich without being syrupy, spicy without becoming one-dimensional and powerful without being obnoxious. The earthy spice and subtle salinity are particularly nice touches, adding another layer to all that chocolate, caramel and citrus.

And at $74.99, it’s a pretty compelling bottle for a 10-year-old, cask-strength rye.

Rye has been away from Joseph Magnus for a very long time.

I’d say it made a pretty good comeback.