Whiskey Review: Pursuit United Triple Mash Rye Barrel Proof

Introduction

We’re diving into a whiskey that comes with a bold claim: Pursuit United Triple Mash Rye Barrel Proof, a small batch blend from the team behind Bourbon Pursuit, is being pitched as a Whiskey of the Year contender. That’s a high bar, and we’re more than happy to judge it on those terms.

This bottle clocks in at 121.8 proof, uncut and unfiltered. It's a blend of three rye whiskeys from two different distilleries:

• A 95/5 rye from Bardstown Bourbon Company

• A 95/5 rye and a 52/43/5 mashbill rye (rye/corn/malted barley) from Sagamore Spirit

Let’s see how this bold blend stacks up.

Nose

Brad:
This one is like baking spices and caramel and rye and sweet mint. It almost reminds me of the burnt marshmallows on top of a sweet potato casserole. It's got that marshmallow caramelized mallow vibe that you know I'm digging. This is a 9.5/10.

Bob:
This smells like my favorite kind of bourbon, but I know that it’s a rye, so it’s going to have even more character. It is decadent. Sweet mint, caramelized marshmallow, rich and complex. It's a 9.5/10 from me too.

Taste

Brad:
The sweet mint explodes. The marshmallow goes from being caramelized to actual marshmallow fluff, like from the jar. Rye spice kicks in, and there's this lemon zestiness that hits late. I like this a lot. This is a 9.5/10.

Bob:
One of the highest compliments I can give is that I needed a second sip. It’s a lot. The toasted barrel notes become really prominent on the back of my palate, like how Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel brings those notes to bear on the standard Craig template. It doesn’t have quite the rich sweetness of the nose, but it’s still great. I’m going with an 8.5/10.

Finish

Brad:
The finish falls off just a tiny bit from the palate, but that’s because the palate is so good. I get blueberry cobbler, vanilla, dill, mint, and rye baking spices. It’s complex and satisfying. I’m giving it a 9/10.

Bob:
It’s still really good, but the sweetness fades a bit too much for me. The barrel char and bitter toastiness become more dominant. There’s even some leathery and ashy notes. I’m at an 8.5/10.

Balance

Brad:
This is a really well-balanced whiskey. There are peaks and valleys, and it's not a perfectly cohesive ride, but I love all the individual components. I’ll give it an 8.5/10.

Bob:
Each sip reveals something different. One was the sweetest yet, another finished with leather and cigarette ash. It’s a complex, evolving whiskey. Even if it’s not totally harmonious, it’s fascinating. I’m also at an 8.5/10.

Value

Bob:
Listed at $79.99 on the Pursuit United site. For a barrel proof blend from Bardstown and Sagamore, blended in small batches with this kind of quality? I thought it’d be $120+. This is a 9/10 value for me.

Brad:
Agreed. At $80, this is a home run. If it dropped to $75, it’d be a 10/10. It’s a phenomenal purchase, and one of the best gifts you could get a whiskey lover.

Final Scores

Bob: 44/50
Brad: 44.5/50
Average: 44.25/50 (or 88.5/100)

Conclusion

This is just shy of elite-tier territory on our scoring scale. A 40/50 is a no-brainer recommendation. A 45/50 means you're entering the realm of our all-time favorites. This one lands right between.

Even if it’s not exactly in our personal flavor wheelhouses, we still couldn’t rate it lower than 88.5/100. That says a lot. For $80, this might be one of the best high-proof ryes available. It’s a Whiskey of the Year contender, without question.

If you’re a fan of bold, complex, barrel-strength whiskey with both rye spice and dessert-like decadence, Pursuit United Triple Mash Rye Barrel Proof belongs on your shelf.