Rogue Oregon Rye Malt Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: C+

Rogue Rye Malt Whiskey
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

Like their Oregon Single Malt, the Oregon Rye Malt from Rogue Ales (famous for Rogue Dead Guy Ale) is not actually “beer made from whiskey.” Instead, it’s whiskey based on certain specialized grains particular to Rogue’s beer-making operation: their Dream Rye and their Dare & Risk Malted Barley. The rye is also malted, and the mash is fermented with Pacman yeast, a rather neutral brewing yeast that is quite popular with homebrewers. Rogue bottled the whiskey at 80 proof.

The Whiskey
A pour of Rogue Rye Malt comes out golden in the glass, while giving that glass a swish leaves a coat behind that just streams with tears. Taking in the aroma reminds me of light rye bread toast in the main, with fruity and light spice notes.

A sip shows the liquid to have a soft, silky texture. It’s a smooth whiskey, but also light on flavor as well. It follows the profile of the nose, being something like a light rye toast with a non-descript fruit jam spread thinly across the top. That profile is more there in the nose than on the palate, though.

The finish goes down with modest bit of pumpernickel. After that light start, though, it comes on more strongly with toasted cereals, and then runs on strong a clear for a few moments before fading off.

I found myself wondering if this whiskey might not have been better off if it had been bottled at a stronger level, perhaps 90 proof. However, I’m reluctant to second guess decisions like that, since one never really knows how a stronger bottling will turn out except in the lab or in the bottle.

The Price
I have seen this listed with online retailers at $45 a bottle.