Jefferson’s Bourbon (Pernod Ricard) launches Ocean Aged at Sea Rye this morning. This 26th voyage, and newest addition to the popular Jefferson’s Ocean family, marks Jefferson’s inaugural exploration at sea with rye whiskey.
The liquid is a fully mature rye whiskey that was double-barreled (75% in char 3 barrels and 25% in toasted barrels). It was then placed on ships – a singularly uncommon place to live – and traveled through ports around the world as part of the unique finishing technique for which the Ocean series is known.
“I’ve always had the desire to create a Rye within the Jefferson’s Ocean portfolio, but wanted to make one that you could sip – so I did just that,” Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s founder, said. “The unpredictability of the ocean – and the way it affects our products – has always been intriguing to me, but this, combined with our double barreling process, made for a more robust profile, while the increased interactions with barrels and fluctuating air temperatures balanced the spice of rye. This aging process churns and treats our whiskey like no rickhouse could.”
Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye is described as a rye balanced by caramelization that comes specifically from the sea-aging process. The combination of the new char 3 barrels and new toasted barrels adds a flavorful depth of marshmallow and toffee on the nose and palate. These rich notes are delicately accented by leather and tobacco with a long finish of baking spices and cinnamon that are kissed with a touch of sea salt.
Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye is non-chill filtered and bottled at 96 proof. SRP: $79.99/750mL