Barton 1792 Distillery Is Expanding Its Lineup In Two New Directions

1792 XV and Straight Rye Whiskey are the latest in the brand's portfolioSazeracBarton 1792 Distillery has released two new expressions: 1792 Straight Rye Whiskey and 1792 XV, a 15-year-old uncut, unfiltered bourbon. This product line expansion pushes the 1792 brand’s boundaries in two very different directions.Expansion into rye whiskey and higher-aged bourbon is the latest move for a brand that has regularly brought new products to market over the last decade. These new whiskies target both casual consumers and enthusiasts alike.“Refining and reimagining our whiskey-making process has opened the door to new flavor possibilities,” says Tyler Smith, Brand Director of 1792. “With these releases, we continue to grow the 1792 brand, building on our nearly 150-year legacy while expanding the portfolio in ways that excite both longtime fans and new whiskey enthusiasts.”1792’s First In-House RyeWhile this is the first rye whiskey bottled under the 1792 brand name, the distillery is no stranger to producing rye. Barton rye was the backbone of many brands in the budding craft whiskey scene of the 2000s and 2010s. Most notably, Barton-produced rye helped put High West Distillery on the radar for whiskey enthusiasts. With two distinct rye mash bills—one low-rye (53%) and one high-rye (80%)—the distillery demonstrated its versatility long before setting its sights on a rye whiskey for its own brand.The 1792 team deliberately chose to use the brand’s signature bourbon yeast to make their straight rye whiskey, imparting additional sweetness to the final product. The grain itself was sourced from various regions known for growing rye, including Canada, Europe, and the northern United States.As detailed by the brand, “Canadian rye contributes floral lift, northern U.S. grain delivers peppery spice and European rye provides bready, herbal depth.”1792 Straight Rye is the first rye whiskey for 1792SazeracThe whiskey was bottled at a familiar 100 proof, building on 1792’s High Rye bourbon, which now serves as the bridge between the brand’s low rye bourbon and this new rye whiskey.“We felt the rye reached its peak at 100 proof. Here, the whiskey showcases a seamless integration of rye spice, oak and yeast influence,” says Ross Cornelissen, Master Distiller, Barton 1792. “Many seasoned bourbon drinkers turn to rye when they’re ready to explore something new. With 1792 Bourbon’s high-rye mash bill, this release offers fans a familiar spice profile with a recognizable rye character.”1792 Straight Rye Whiskey is an annual release, available in select markets through Sazerac’s distributor network at a suggested retail price of $39.99.1792’s Oldest Whiskey1792’s other new product, entitled XV, also builds off the success of existing products: 1792 Full Proof and 1792 Twelve Year.1792 XV takes the well-aged profile of the Twelve Year’s and extends it by three additional years for added depth and oak influence. By bottling at cask strength, XV also features the same high-strength presence as Full Proof, an important factor for many modern bourbon consumers.XV was the result of multiple blend iterations and barrel combinations, but this expression wasn’t originally on the team’s radar.1792 XV is a fifteen year old bourbon bottled at cask strength.Sazerac“This release wasn’t part of a planned experiment in barrel-proof whiskey,” Master Distiller Cornelissen adds. “We noticed that several of our oldest barrels were developing extraordinary characteristics, with flavors and nuances that stood out on their own. That discovery inspired us to do something special, which ultimately led to the creation of XV.”1792 XV is aged 15 years and bottled at 124.2 proof. It is presented in an elongated 1-liter glass bottle and is currently available in Global Travel Retail outlets in select airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) at a suggested retail price of $249.99.XV is expected to become an annual release, with availability eventually expanding to domestic retail outlets.Tasting Notes1792 Straight Rye WhiskeyThis whiskey appears gold in the glass.Spicy and sweet on the nose, with notes of fresh herbs, buttery pastry, cherry red hots, sweet oak, vanilla, raspberry jam. With water, I find additional notes of cedar, dried flowers, a bit of grassiness, burnt sugar and a hint of dried apricot.On the palate, spiced fruits lead the way, with notes of apple butter, coriander, mixed berry jelly, mulling spice and candied orange peel. I also find toffee, assorted fresh garden leaves (tomato, pepper, mint, hint of basil) and a bit of tannic zestiness. Water brings a delayed but punchier spice with some sharp pepper after a few moments, along with tart cranberry, cigar box, and a bit of honey.Rich and spicy, the finish brings notes of caramel apple, ginger, allspice, dry oak and pie crust. With water, a mix of fresh and dried herbs, earthy minerality that wasn’t present at all before, along with a hint of white grape juice and butter crackers.This rye is a fabulous addition to the 1792 lineup. It has the perfect amount of spice and zip to be a candidate for sipping neat or for use in cocktails, where it will almost certainly hold its own against other ingredients. At $40, the price-to-value ratio is extremely high here. Highly recommended.1792 XVThis whiskey appears rich mahogany in the glass.On the nose, the oak doesn’t hold back, with notes of bold, spicy oak, molasses, leather, fresh-lit cigar, charcoal, brandied cherries and cocoa powder. With water, this smells like a bakery, with various sugar, pastry, and cooked fruit notes, including powdered sugar, shortbread, and strawberry frosting.On the palate, I find notes of cherry cola, chocolate ganache, more rich oak, oiliness, brown sugar, more leather, dates and a bit of orange peel. Water brings notes of red grape skins, ripe peach, vanilla, allspice and wood smoke.On the finish, notes of warming oak with tannins to spare, devil’s food cake, root beer, demerara syrup, black cherry, vanilla, espresso grounds and clove. With water, the clove intensifies, along with sweet cinnamon, astringent oak, more flaky pastry and hard caramel chews.1792 XV is the other missing piece of the brand’s portfolio puzzle: a well-aged, barrel-proof expression that shows fans what 1792 bourbon can do with extended aging and an uncut/unfiltered presentation. Fans of the Buffalo Trace antique collection will no doubt compare this Sazerac-owned product to George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller. This doesn’t taste like GTS or WLW, but 1792 XV is a bold, fruit-forward bourbon that will no doubt make a splash with fans of well-aged, barrel-proof whiskey.More From ForbesForbesThis Is The First Bourbon Made With Whiskey From All 50 StatesBy Chris PeruginiForbesAmerican Whiskey Finalists At The San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionBy Chris PeruginiForbesOld Commonwealth 10-Year Batch 3 Pays Homage to Its Historic NamesakeBy Chris Perugini