Very Olde St. Nick Faith and Conviction is a rare, cask strength Ancient Cask rye from one of the most cult followed names in American whiskey. The Very Olde St. Nick brand began in the 1980s, built largely for the Japanese and European markets where its tiny, irregular releases became the stuff of legend, and it has carried on under founder Marci Palatella, whose Preservation Distillery and Farm in Bardstown, Kentucky is now a sought after Kentucky stop. Tracking down a new release has always been a matter of luck as much as anything, and that scarcity is central to the brand's mystique. Faith and Conviction is a fitting example. Built on a base of meticulously aged rye whiskey around eight years old and profiled with no more than a handful of treasured vintage casks, it was the culmination of an exhaustive five day tasting session, with the blender swirling, nosing and tasting through prized barrels until she landed on this dense, robust rye. It is produced in the brand's signature style of just one to three barrel batches, so every release is minuscule. Bottled at a hearty 109.2 proof, it pours a deep amber and leans toward the dark and robust end of the rye spectrum. The nose offers red currant, ripe plum, brown butter, light apricot and a touch of cola over warm oak. The palate opens with black raspberry, raisin and prune before rye spice rushes up behind, with a light chocolate wafer note providing a gentle reprieve. The finish is equally rich, layering milk chocolate, leather, hazelnut and molasses. A potent, dark and genuinely special rye, it rewards slow sipping neat or with a single drop of water. For collectors, this is a true unicorn pour.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Very Olde St. Nick |
| Producer |
Preservation Distillery + Farm, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Category |
Rye Whiskey (Ancient Cask, cask strength) |
| Age |
Approx 8 year base (no formal age statement) |
| Batch |
1 to 3 barrel batch |
| ABV |
54.6% |
| Proof |
109.2 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: Red currant, ripe plum, brown butter, light apricot and cola over warm oak.
Palate: Black raspberry, raisin and prune with rushing rye spice and a light chocolate wafer note.
Finish: Rich and robust with milk chocolate, leather, hazelnut and molasses.
FAQ
What is Very Olde St. Nick Faith and Conviction? It is a rare, cask strength Ancient Cask rye whiskey built on a roughly eight year old base and profiled with a handful of vintage casks, released in tiny one to three barrel batches.
What proof is this bottle? It is bottled at 109.2 proof, which is 54.6 percent alcohol by volume. Very Olde St. Nick releases vary from batch to batch.
Who makes it? The Very Olde St. Nick brand, founded by Marci Palatella, is produced at Preservation Distillery and Farm in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Why is it so hard to find? The brand is famous for minuscule, irregular releases that sell out quickly, which has made it a cult favorite among collectors.
How should I drink it? Neat or with a single drop of water to open its dark fruit, spice and chocolate notes.
Where can I buy Very Olde St. Nick Faith + Conviction Ancient Cask Rye Whiskey online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
