Wyoming Whiskey has announced the fifth expression of its Outryder Straight American Whiskey.
Outryder first hit shelves in October 2016. It represented Wyoming Whiskey’s first use of rye, along with corn and malted barley.
Fans who have followed the brand for years may recall the interesting story of how Outryder originally came to be.
It started with Wyoming Whiskey’s Founding Distiller, Bourbon Hall of Famer and former Maker’s Mark Master Distiller, Steve Nally. At the request of Co-Founder David DeFazio during the early resurgence of rye whiskey, Nally defiantly produced a high-rye whiskey that did not meet the legal 51% requirement to be called a rye; Nally was not a fan of rye whiskey.
Years later, as the spirit aged, it was discovered to contain only 48% rye. As a result, Wyoming Whiskey was left with no choice but to develop an American whiskey.
“Outryder continues to be the most revered whiskey we offer, and one that I’m proud to have fought for,” says Defazio. “The exchange between me and Steve continues to be one of the most meaningful and entertaining stories of the brand. His defiance resulted in something truly magnificent and unique that we never would have intentionally created by design.”
Following the success of its first two iterations of Outryder, in 2016 and 2017, Wyoming Whiskey came to terms with the finite amount of 2011 whiskey stock used to create the initial batches. In order to continue releasing this product, Wyoming Whiskey has begun marrying its 10-year-old “almost rye” whiskies (48% rye, 40% corn, 12% malt) and bourbon (68% corn, 20% rye, 12% malt), with two whiskies distilled in early 2017, which are considered a “true rye” (51% rye, 37% corn, 12% malt) and bourbon (68% corn, 20% rye, 12% malt).
Because of the use of whiskies from two different distilling seasons, Wyoming Whiskey cannot attach the bonded designation. However, this brand is still bottled at 100 proof, and is 100% Wyoming made.
The resulting straight American whiskey is true to the flavor profile of the original bottling, the company says. According to Master Blender Nancy Fraley, cherry, honeyed hay, and molasses notes are unique to this year’s offering.
Fraley’s full tasting notes for the 2021 release of Outryder are as follows:
- COLOR: Copper to mahogany
- NOSE: This season’s Outryder features pumpernickel bread with melted butter, honey aromas of beeswax candles with orange blossom pollen, and warm cherry cobbler
- PALATE: The initial entry is of hot chocolate, yeast biscuits drizzled with dark molasses, honeyed hay, and roasted cumin in brown butter
- MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity with lots of caramelized wood sugars together with gentle rye spiciness
- FINISH: Long and warming, with lingering flavors of maple syrup over French toast
Beginning this November, a total of 11,520 bottles of Outryder will release into retail markets across the U.S. It’s also available online through ReserveBar and Caskers.
The suggested retail price is $74.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
