The Very Olde St. Nick (VOSN) releases have piqued the interest of many whiskey drinkers. The VOSN Harvest Rye was selected from over 100 barrels that were aging in the company’s Bardstown barrel warehouse. This spirit was sourced from Tennessee as a part of some experimental batches; however, the spirit was mostly aged in Kentucky over the last several years. Deep gold color. The nose is sweet and spicy. Cinnamon and baking spices shine through. After some time in the glass, barrel char, light smoke, and brown sugar begin to appear. The first sip is somewhat thin. There is an instant blast of heat that coats the mouth, gathers in the back palate, and settles in the chest. Rye spice is the most prominent note. The second sip is silky and has a slight drying effect that is followed by a Pavlovian response. There is a candy sweetness ... with notes of vanilla and baking spice. The third sip brings both heat and flavor. The complexity of this whiskey coupled with its sweetness make it difficult to tease out all of the notes. Oak, rye spice, and vanilla were present. The finish is long and pleasant. White pepper, oak, and faint cinnamon are present. ... not for the faint of heart. Prepare yourself for candy sweetness and intense heat. This whiskey will continue to improve as it opens up. ... would make a wonderful addition to any bar.
— 8.9/10Whiskeyconsensus.com, November 22, 2019