Sea Fog Rye Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B-

If Sea Fog Rye Whiskey seems like a new name in craft whiskey circles, the distillery behind it is not. Newport Craft got its start in 1999, setting out to revive the Rhode Island tradition of making rum. They became the first licensed distiller in their tiny state in 135 years, and their rum is quite well-known and admired in the wider craft spirits circle. The roots of Sea Fog reportedly date back to 2013, when founder Brent Ryan decided to try his hand at whiskey-making. The distillery was bought by investors in 2017, and they spurred things along with their interest in expanding the distillery’s brand reach and product line.

So, Sea Fog Rye is an in-house product, not sourced, and stands as a 5 year old. Sharp whiskey watchers should be curious about what aging this rye in the New England, coastal climate will do for it, and it is bottled at 90 proof. One shouldn’t confuse this with the American Malt whiskey from Newport Craft.

The Whiskey
The coloring of Sea Fog is quite far from any suggestion of foggy murk, actually. It has a light copper coloring, so light as to step over to the border of golden during the swishing. The nose carries equal measures of lemon cookies, oak and licorice, accented with a touch of wet, freshly cut grass.

The palate is much spicier, but manages to hang onto its lemon cookie foundation, while adding a daub of wet clay that comes up on the back end. That earthy clay note is what carries, for the most part, over into the finish. As it fades, the lemon comes back out, brings the finish into balance, and then becomes the thing that lasts for a few minutes longer. I really felt the finish was the best part of the experience.

The Price
I’ve seen this item listed for $60 per 750ml bottle with online retailers.