Cascade Moon 13 Year Rye Whisky 750ml

Cascade Moon 13 Year Rye is the third edition of the highly acclaimed Cascade Moon limited release series from Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the historic home of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky since 1958. Hand selected by Cascade Hollow General Manager and Distiller Nicole Austin (Artisan Spirit Magazine's first ever Distiller of the Year in 2020), this rye whiskey began life at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, built around the classic MGP 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash bill that has defined American rye for decades. After three years of initial maturation in Indiana, the barrels were trucked south to Cascade Hollow in 2012, where they spent an additional nine to ten years aging in Cascade Hollow's single story rickhouses, a slower and more gentle aging environment than MGP's multi story warehouses. The result is a rye unlike almost any other 13 year old MGP based rye on the market: bright, fruit forward, and remarkably mellow, with peach and apricot replacing the typical big black pepper rye spice and lifted by classic Tennessee aging character. Bottled at 100 proof in a tall apothecary style bottle with a cork closure and a striking moon themed presentation box, this is a strictly limited release of approximately 750 bottles originally allocated to Tennessee, Texas, and California, and now hard to find at retail anywhere. Awarded 93 points by WhiskyCast.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Fusion of rust, burnt orange, and rich amber from extended Tennessee aging.

Nose: Bright, springy aromas of green apples, cinnamon, orange and grapefruit zest, fresh cut grass, peach, apricot, baking spices, black cherries, caramel candy, leather, pipe tobacco, and the slightest hint of pepper.

Palate: Smooth and inviting opening transitioning to sweet vanilla and leather, with tart apples, dill, clove, black pepper, nutmeg, caramel apples, black cherries, toffee, vanilla, hints of tropical fruit, eucalyptus, and a gentle cinnamon spice replacing the typical big rye black pepper.

Finish: Long, warm, and oaky, with lingering spices, black cherries, char, matcha green tea earthiness, and a clean balance of tartness and sweetness.

FAQ

What is the Cascade Moon series? Cascade Moon is a small batch limited release series from Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., launched in 2020 as a vehicle for one off, experimental, and very rare whiskey releases that fall outside the standard George Dickel range. The series is overseen by General Manager and Distiller Nicole Austin, with each release representing a discrete batch that will not be repeated. Edition No. 1 was a 42% blend of older Tennessee whisky and bourbon, Edition No. 2 was a 17 year old celebrating Dickel's 150th anniversary at 45%, and this Cascade Moon 13 Year Rye is Edition No. 3, the first rye in the series.

Why does this taste different from other 13 year MGP ryes? Most aged MGP 95/5 rye is matured entirely in Indiana's tall multi story rickhouses, which produce big, oak heavy, peppery, brown sugar forward rye character. This batch spent only its first three years in Indiana before being trucked to Cascade Hollow's single story rickhouses in Tullahoma, Tennessee in 2012, where it aged for nearly a decade more in a notably different climate and warehouse environment. The result is a notably brighter, fruitier, more delicate rye than typical aged MGP, with peach, apricot, and citrus replacing some of the usual heavy oak and pepper.

How rare is this release? Strictly limited. Paste Magazine reported an outturn of approximately 750 bottles total at original release in December 2021, with original allocation only to Tennessee, Texas, and California. Original SRP was $299.99. Bottles in the original presentation box have become genuinely scarce in the years since release, with secondary market values trending up. Each Cascade Moon edition is a one off with no plan to repeat.

Who is Nicole Austin? Nicole Austin is the General Manager and Distiller at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. and one of the most respected figures in modern American whiskey. She was named Artisan Spirit Magazine's first ever Distiller of the Year in 2020 and is widely credited with leading the modern revival of the Cascade Hollow brand portfolio (including George Dickel and the Cascade Moon limited release series) since joining the distillery in 2018.

Where can I buy Cascade Moon 13 Year Rye online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.