Two James Catcher’s Rye Whiskey Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: C-

Two James Distillery was the first legal distillery in Detroit since the Prohibition era, opening in 2013 . It has been often said that the decline of the Motor City and the resulting cheap rents for large spaces has lured many creative folks to the city. The distillery founder Peter Bailey attributes the Detroit revitalization movement to his company landing there. Bailey explained in a 2015 “I’m a pragmatist… I can either make zero impact on the city over the long term or a positive one. I choose positive.”

They make Catcher’s Rye Whiskey from 100% Michigan rye and use water from the Great Lakes. The name is a play on the book, Catcher in the Rye, a book many of us read in high school.

But one might ask why Detroit, Michigan? Michigan has a rich whiskey smuggling history given the proximity of Canada and Michigan shores. During Prohibition, smugglers had an efficient distribution location to supply the United States between the stretch of river between Detroit and Ontario. It has been alleged that Detroit was the way station for upwards of 75% of the alcohol in the United States during Prohibition, making whiskey smuggling Detroit’s second-largest industry after automobiles. The city was littered with blind pigs (Speakeasies), keeping Detroiters knee deep in whiskey throughout Prohibition.

Catcher’s Rye Whiskey is aged for a minimum of two years in 53 gallon charred new American oak barrels and bottled at 98.8 proof (ABV 49.4%). The distillery offers $15 and $25 tours and has an on-site tasting room to round out the experience with one of their custom made cocktails.

The Whiskey
The nose holds a sweet Port-like greeting, with hints of orange peel. Something about the nose suggests  youthfulness, which is not a surprise for a 2 year old rye whiskey.

The mouth feel is thin, with minimal traditional rye bite, which suggests a watered-down rye whiskey at odds with the almost 99 proof. The finish is warm, slightly sweet at first, quickly leading to a peppery sensation that left my mouth somewhat numb and dry.

This rye whiskey tasting experience was a real fooler for me.  The nose starts off with an unusual sweetness setting a high expectation and then experience sipping experience fell down on it’s face from there. I think it will make a good mixer, but has a long way to go before it’s ready to drink neat. Hopefully we get a shot at this juice again in 4, 6 or 8 years. Time heals the youthfulness of many whiskies. My wish is for time to intervene here!

The Price
You can find Catcher’s Rye Whiskey in Chicago for $49.00 and $60.00 online for a 750ml bottle.