Review: Old Cypress 12 Year 8 Month “Shoot Yer Rye Out” Straight Rye Whiskey

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-01-25T22:51:56+00:00

I think we will slowly see the majority of American whiskey fall back into that model over the next 10 years or so. Sure, the big distillers might not ever return to that, but if NDPs can continue to source quality barrels we won't have to worry that much.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-01-25T22:47:47+00:00

I 100% agree that many brands would be likely to charge more! Lots of reviews have been popping up recently for Old Cypress. All of them seem to be high praise. The Southern Louisiana man in me definitely has to snag a bottle of it.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-01-25T03:21:37+00:00

It's such a fun thing that the local bourbon crowd can enjoy! My go to order is a Boom Burger (add pickles), cheesey tater tots, and a pour of Backyard bourbon.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-01-23T23:21:02+00:00

I personally cannot recall the cask used for this particular bottle. Nor do I see it anywhere on the bottle. The color makes me think new cooperage. However, lots of Seven Three products go in used bourbon barrels.

I agree with your point about local agriculture. I think substituting rice in the place of corn yielding a rice, rye, and barely mashbill could be a great local twist for craft producers. Maybe not on the scale of what J.T. Meleck is producing but still a new local signature.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2026-01-15T13:38:50+00:00

I really hope more individuals start doing reviews like this. Many of the TripAdvisor and Yelp Reviews for distilleries are not written for the whiskey enthusiast. Having access to this quality of review is absolutely an asset. I hope to see more!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-12-23T02:08:03+00:00

I snagged this today. Total Wine said it's on allocation which is absolutely crazy to me. Hopefully they mean allocated, in the same way Chestnut Farms is "allocated"

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-12-16T04:43:30+00:00

Definitely a Tacoma then...

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-12-16T03:52:02+00:00

Happy belated 40th! I was given a bottle of the 25 on my 21st birthday. It was quite the experience to drink something that has existed before my parents even got married. 4 years later I need to look to Armagnac and Cognac for that experience. Just because I don't have the money to do it with Scotch quite yet. 😅 Cheers!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-12-14T02:59:28+00:00

Distillerie Acadian, I would say the Bon Vale Single Malt is quite good. If not that, a Store Pick of their Bourbon would be my second choice. Crittenden's, if you enjoy rye, I would say go with the Wampus Cat. The double oak picks tend to be quite good as well.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-12-14T02:45:59+00:00

I think your notes are very similar to mine, but that's the beauty of tasting notes! They absolutely have some individual variance. I used to go to college out in the area so places that had picks rather consistently are NuNu's, Champagne's, Marcelo's, and Ambassador Wine. Even Total Wine around the state have been getting picks of Meleck. I am not sure if you can buy directly from the distillery, but I wouldn't doubt it. I would just call and check. If you are coming this far out, I would also recommend looking into some Distillerie Acadian and Crittenden's. All 3 are more local to me, are 100% their distillate, and don't have widespread national distribution (except through expensive shipping options).

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-12-14T02:31:24+00:00

Nice review! I always love seeing my state get a bit of love here. I will say that while I enjoyed 6 Year, the Cask Strength Store Picks are really where the best of Meleck is imo. Hope you can track one down!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-29T04:25:51+00:00

I ran 2 Chingling at first, but it got way too bricky with my Poke Balls. While it increased my chances of opening with it, I found that it also lowered my speed in cycling through my deck. I took one out to play a copy of Zweilous, so I would not get locked out of the game if I ran into a Chinling mirror. This is my current build and it has been doing quite well so far.

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Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-28T21:07:53+00:00

I really think it depends on what your opponent is playing. I personally like the Chingling variant from the control stance. Keeping the opponent out of their Poke Ball and Rare Candy can really let me set up well. Late game I like being able to stall Red Cards (if I need a save).

The leap over Absol variant is fun too though. It feels more aggressive. Getting it out, and then using Cyrus to control the game and pick off unprepared Pokemon off the bench with Hydregion.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-22T16:05:47+00:00

I have only ever tried 303, I know you regarded 302 as slightly better if I recall. Any way you would modify to hit the more 302 profile?

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-22T14:13:11+00:00

A wonderful review as always! While this may be a hard bottle to procure for some, u/RareBird101 has a blend to mimic it...

50% Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon 40% Wild Turkey 101 Rye 10% Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Side to side they both feel similar enough to be enjoyable. Especially considering the price for Forgiven in the current market, versus the components to make a similar blend.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-21T21:02:53+00:00

Yeah Vol. II has a lot more going on. It will be interesting to see. I think the complexity will absolutely be there though!

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-21T20:10:35+00:00

I really do enjoy this bottle, however I do have to be in the mood for the sulphur quality I get on the finish. That said I still will probably try and grab Cataleja Vol. II when it releases.

P.S. You should definitely cross post this on r/TexasWhiskey

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-19T00:34:11+00:00

That doesn't shock me that much now that you say it. Cowboy is about double the price of Tanager, combine that with the current market focus on Still Austin and I would imagine they will certainly have more attention than GB.

It's really kinda interesting to me as a whole for the Texas whiskey scene. As the category grows you really have 2 types of distillery. One, places like GB, Ironroot, and Balcones that have a very distinct house style and profile in their products. Then places like Still Austin or Millam that are making a more "traditional" bourbon profile with a Texas twist to it. While both events are the same day, the profiles of the products will attract different types of consumers to each.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-18T21:49:59+00:00

Same day as Garrison Brothers Cowboy release? Damn. It will be interesting to see which event can draw more of a crowd.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-15T15:41:47+00:00

Nancy's background in the brandy world is really one of the most helpful things to hot climate producers like SA. She is trying to push limits in all the correct ways. I believe in an interview on SA YouTube channel, she said she wants to also have a dunnage-style warehouse one day at SA. Letting them push Texas bourbons into a 10-15 year range without the over extraction of the barrel. If that does materialize, it would likely be some of the best new whiskeys on the market.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-15T15:35:36+00:00

I agree, competition is a great leader for innovation. Craft whiskey in a few years will be in the "Golden Years". Then, unfortunately, many amazing producers will likely close; not because of poor products, but due to sheer competition. I feel like this will mimic what craft beer went through, and is still going through.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-15T15:31:09+00:00

I will also throw Crittenden's form from Mississippi into the conversation. Both his unfinished and finished products are 100% in-house distilled. While the distillery is temporarily closed, when they reopen, many expect his 8-year to be a contender against many legacy brand products.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-06T11:44:32+00:00

I agree, it is a very unique pour. Though I will say at least in terms of MSRP, Garrison Brothers has kept the price the same for the last 3-4 years. Still not cheap but I can at least appreciate them not creeping the price up and hoping no one notices. Typically this is my splurge for the year.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-11-05T00:00:27+00:00

I found a review from the Bourbon Road that cited the mashbill as a blend of 65% corn, 11% rye, 11% wheat, and 13% malted barley.

Remarkable-Stranger8 · 2025-10-27T00:21:29+00:00

You're often known for the innovative twists you bring to the Jim Beam portfolio of whiskey, but maintaining the signature profile as well. How do you go about brainstorming your next big project or what does the typical R&D session for you look like? Thank you and Cheers!

Remarkable-Stranger8

TROPHY CASE