MASTERS OF RYE
LAWRENCEBURG, IN
MASTERS OF RYE For nearly 200 years, the master distillers of Lawrenceburg, Indiana (locally known as Whiskey City) have been perfecting the original handcrafted rye blends in one of America’s last Prohibition-era distilleries. We’re pleased to welcome the Masters of Rye – MGP Ingredients – to present Rossville Union Rye Whiskey, a tribute to the golden age of rye made at their 170-year-old distillery in Lawrenceburg. Whisky Advocate just named Rossville Union “A Top Outstanding Rye Under $50”, and we look forward to finding out more about this classic American spirit. If you want to taste along, look for Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey and Rossville Union Barrel Proof Straight Rye Whiskey at a store near you. 02
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • MASTERS OF RYE
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L E T’ S G E T S TA R T ED
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MASTERS OF RYE
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THE CRAFT
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THE ART OF TASTING
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ROSSVILLE UNION RYES
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RYE VS. BOURBON
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AMERICAN VS. CANADIAN
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ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS
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BRAND VIDEO
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ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • MASTERS OF RYE
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WE LIVE RYE.
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It’s why we distill our Master Crafted Rye
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • MASTERS OF RYE
It’s our pride & passion. whiskey in the rye capital of the world. This book is for discerning whiskey drinkers who want to explore the art of rye. Because rye should be masterfully enjoyed.
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THE C 08
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • THE CRAFT
RAFT
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W HA T I S R YE ? American rye whiskey is characterized by a bold, rich, spicy flavor, thanks to the rye grain comprising the majority of its mash bill. It’s also defined by a set of American rules. THE RULES OF RYE — MADE FROM A MASH BILL OF AT LEAST 51% RYE — AGED IN CHARRED NEW-OAK BARRELS — DISTILLED TO NO MORE THAN 160 PROOF (80% ABV) — ENTERED INTO THE BARREL FOR AGING AT A PROOF NO HIGHER THAN 125 (62.5% ABV) — BOTTLED AT NO LESS THAN 80 PROOF (40% ABV)
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TH E ORIG I NA L AM E R IC A N SP I R I T 1640
THE FIRST EVER AMERICAN WHISKEY ON RECORD IS DISTILLED BY SCOTCHIRISH COLONISTS. IT’S AN UNAGED RYE WHISKEY. 12
1791
THE NEW AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IMPOSES ITS FIRST DOMESTIC TAX: THE WHISKEY TAX.
In 1640, America distilled its first barrel of whiskey—rye whiskey, to be exact. By the 19th century, ninety-six percent of the
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • THE CRAFT
A brief history of rye
liquor consumed in America was rye whiskey. Given America’s early infatuation with the spirit, most classic whiskey cocktails were originally made with rye.
1797
GEORGE WASHINGTON OPENS A COMMERCIAL DISTILLERY.
1801
WHISKEY CONSUMPTION SOARS AFTER THE REPEAL OF THE WHISKEY TAX.
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1802
B EC O M I N G WH I SKEY C I TY The story of Lawrenceburg In 1802, just as whiskey consumption in America reached an all-time high, the small town of Lawrenceburg, IN appeared along the banks of the Ohio River. In 1809, the town’s first mash bills were produced with a gristmill powered by a single blind horse. Within the next century, Lawrenceburg would become known as Whiskey City—the rye-distilling capital of the world. 14
RO S S V IL LE D I S T I L LE R Y History in the making
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • THE CRAFT
1847
In 1847, amidst the golden age of rye, Rossville Distillery opened its doors. Founder George Ross had picked its location carefully. The distillery sat atop an aquifer that provided it with naturally limestonefiltered water. And it was surrounded by fertile farmland and plentiful grain. Now, nearly two centuries later, the distillery is considered one of Lawrenceburg’s original distilleries, and the only one still producing whiskey today. 15
THE A OF TA 16
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • THE ART OF TASTING
RT STING
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TH E G LA SS The ideal glass for tasting whiskey has a tulip-shaped bowl, making it perfectly suited for slowly rolling, allowing the aromas to mingle as they travel towards the rim.
THE METHOD Enhance your whiskey-tasting experience by focusing on these three things:
THE NOSE — Roll (but don’t swirl) the whiskey to release the aromas. — With your mouth open, carefully sniff the glass near the rim. — Let the experience dictate which
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aromas you notice.
THE TASTE
THE FINISH
— Take a small sip of the whiskey.
— Experience the warm feeling
— Allow it to roll over your tongue. — Swallow when you have a good feel for the flavor.
after swallowing whiskey. — Pay attention to the length and intensity of the warmth. — Notice any flavors that surprise you.
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BARREL AGIN Off the still, whiskey is as clear as water. It’s the barrel that gives the whiskey all of its color and so much of its flavor. When a whiskey barrel is made, the inside of the barrel is set on fire to char the oak.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
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N E A T OR
The warmer a whiskey
If enjoying whiskey neat,
is, the more you’ll notice
just a drop of water can
flavors and aromas.
really open it up to more
flavor notes.
The science of flavor This charring caramelizes the wood sugars, allowing the wood to impart sweet flavors like vanilla, caramel, and honey. As a whiskey ages, its color, mouthfeel, and appearance change.
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • THE ART OF TASTING
NG
ON T H E R O CK S If using ice, use a large
The quality of the ice can
block of ice or cold
affect a whiskey’s taste.
whiskey stone to avoid
Always use clean, freshly
diluting the whiskey.
frozen water. 21
ROSSV UNION 22
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE UNION RYES
VILLE N RYES
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ROSSVILLE UNION
MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 47% ABV • 94 PROOF • 750 ML
Aged for more than five years, Rossville Union’s Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey delivers a mingling taste of sweet dried fruits, toffee, caramel, and vanilla that finishes with bold rye spice and a hint of cocoa and smoke. 24
ROSSVILLEUNION.COM
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE UNION RYES
ROSSVILLE UNION
BARREL PROOF
STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 56.3% ABV • 112.6 PROOF • 750 ML Bottled at a full 112.6 proof, our Barrel Proof Straight bRye Whiskey has a bold, spicy, caramel-forward taste with a balanced, smoky finish. We select the best barrels of whiskey that are five to seven years old to create the ultimate full-bodied whiskey for those who appreciate a high-rye taste. @ROSSVILLEUNION
DISTILLED BY
ROSSVILLE DISTILLERY LAWRENCEBURG, INDIANA
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RYE V BOU R 26
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • RYE VS. BOURBON
S. BON
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IT ’ S A L L A B O UT T H E G RA I N S Just like all oaks are trees but not all trees are oaks, all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. Although both bourbon and rye whiskey are aged in charred new-oak barrels, extracting flavors of caramel, smoke, and vanilla, their key difference lies in the mash bill.
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the mash bill, while rye whiskey is made with a majority of rye. Their taste is easy to understand when you think of the difference between rye bread and corn bread. Also, rye’s bold spice makes it ideal for balancing out
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • RYE VS. BOURBON
Bourbon is made with a majority of corn in
sweeter ingredients in a cocktail.
KEY DIFFERENCES Rye
Bourbon
MAJORITY RYE MASH BILL
MAJORITY CORN MASH BILL
BOLD, SPICY, SAVORY
SWEET
COMPLEMENTS COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS
MAKES COCKTAILS EXTRA SWEET
COMPLEX FLAVORS THAT DEVELOP THE PALATE 29
AMERI V S. CANAD 30
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • AMERICAN VS. CANADIAN
ICAN
DIAN
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NO T A LL R Y E S A R E C RE A T E D Most of the whiskey consumed in America during Prohibition was bootlegged Canadian rye. For decades after the repeal of Prohibition, Canadian rye remained more readily available than American rye, giving Americans the wrong impression of what a real rye whiskey tastes like. In reality, there’s a major point of differentiation between Canadian rye and American Rye.
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Unlike America, Canada has no standard
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • AMERICAN VS. CANADIAN
S D E Q U AL when it comes to rye. In fact, the laws regulating Canadian whiskey don’t specify the need to contain rye grain at all. Many Canadian ryes have a majority of corn in their mash bills. The main complaint about Canadian ryes is that they tend to lack the complexity, flavor, and richness of American ryes. Try a blind taste test sometime—you should be able to easily identify which is the American rye and which is the Canadian.
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ROSSV COCKT 34
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VILLE TAILS
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MOLLY WELLMANN Mixologist
Molly Wellmann is a self-taught mixologist born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She spent 12 years in San Francisco before returning to her beloved hometown to shake up the classic cocktail scene. Molly is the current owner of Japp’s, a creative cocktail spot located in Cincinnati’s historic Over-theRhine neighborhood that has gained national attention. In 2019 Nightclub and Bar Media named her Best Bartender-Owner of the Year.
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ABOUT RYE
“
WE’RE REALLY LUCKY IN CINCINNATI TO LIVE ONE-HOUR FROM THE
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS
WHAT I LOVE
ROSSVILLE DISTILLERY IN LAWRENCEBURG. RYE WHISKEY HAS BEEN MADE IN THAT SAME SPOT SINCE 1802.
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IMAGINE THE HERITAGE - THEY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING!
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MASTER CRAFTED MANHATTAN 2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1/2 oz. NOILLY PRATT SWEET VERMOUTH 1/2 oz. LUXARDO MARASCHINO LIQUEUR 2 dashes ANGOSTURA BITTERS 1 dash ORANGE BITTERS GARNISH: 2 LUXARDO CHERRIES Combine liquid ingredients in a mixing beaker full of ice. Stir gently for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with two Luxardo cherries. 38
“
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My favorite rye cocktail is The Saratoga. John Morrissey, a bare-knuckled boxer who started a gambling hall in Saratoga Springs, launched this classic-among-classics in the 1860s. He was good friends with New York bartender, Jerry Thomas, who (legend has it) helped pull this drink together. I love classic cocktails! Not only are the stories amazing, but you’re drinking in history.
• THE CLASSICS
1.5 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1 oz. BRANDY OR COGNAC 1/2 oz. SWEET VERMOUTH 3 dashes ANGOSTURA BITTER GARNISH: ORANGE PEEL OR CHERRY
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS
THE SARATOGA
by Molly Wellmann, Mixologist
Combine all liquid ingredients to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add garnish of an orange peel or a cherry.
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ROSSVILLE SOUR 2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 2 oz. SWEET & SOUR 1 oz. CLUB SODA 1/2 oz. GRENADINE GARNISH: ORANGE AND CHERRY Mix Rossville Union and Sweet & Sour into a mixing glass. Shake and strain into a Collins glass. Top with club soda and add grenadine. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
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1 1/2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1/2 Tbsp. SUGAR 1/2 oz. WATER 3-4 MINT SPRIGS FRUIT IN SEASON
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • THE CLASSICS
WHISKEY SMASH
In a whiskey glass, add sugar, water, and mint sprigs. Muddle together. Fill the glass with small pieces of ice. Add Rossville Union and fruit. Mix well and serve.
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SAM SLAUGHTER
The Manual, Food & Drink Editor
Sam Slaughter is the author of the popular cocktail book Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum: and Other Cocktails for ‘90s Kids. He is currently the Food & Drink Editor of men’s lifestyle magazine, The Manual, and his work has appeared in Bloomberg, Maxim, The Bitter Southerner, Thirsty and more. Sam is based in Greenville, SC, and can be found online @slaughterwrites.
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ABOUT RYE BACKBONE OF RYE HAS ALWAYS APPEALED TO ME. GREAT ON ITS OWN, I LOVE HOW THE SPICE STANDS OUT IN COCKTAILS, CREATING LAYERS UPON LAYERS OF FLAVOR.
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FOR ME, THE SPICE
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS
WHAT I LOVE
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ROCK AND RYE
by Sam Slaughter, The Manual Food & Drink Editor
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This cocktail is a single serving version of a classic drink, the Rock and Rye, a drink that was created to mask the inferior whiskeys of yore. Now, we have nothing to hide, so the fresh citrus oils and spiced syrup allow the vanilla and spice notes of Rossville Union Rye to shine.
2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED 1/2 oz. STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY CINNAMON-CLOVE SIMPLE SYRUP* 2-3 dashes. ORANGE BITTERS 1 ORANGE PEEL 1 LEMON PEEL GARNISH: 1 STICK ROCK CANDY, OPTIONAL Add Rossville Union Master Crafted Rye, cinnamon simple syrup, and bitters to a rocks glass with a large rock or sphere of ice. Stir. Twist (to express flavor) orange and lemon peels over the top and drop in. Garnish with rock candy.
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*Cinnamon-Clove simple syrup: Bring 8 oz. sugar and 8 oz.water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 2-3 cinnamon sticks and 2-3 whole cloves, reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves and cool before using.
2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1/4 oz. FRESH LEMON JUICE 1/4 oz. MAPLE SYRUP 1 EGG WHITE 1 SUGAR CUBE 2 dashse ANGOSTURA BITTERS GARNISH: ROSEMARY SPRIG & LEMON Muddle sugar cube with bitters in a mixing glass. Combine Rossville Union, lemon
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • GETTING CREATIVE WITH RYE
ROSSVILLE MAPLE ROSE
juice, maple syrup and egg white to mixing glass with rosemary sprig and dry shake. Double strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig and lemon twist.
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THE BLIND HORSE 24 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 12 oz. PIMM’S NO. 1 9 oz. FRESH LEMON JUICE 9 oz. DARK BROWN SUGAR SIMPLE SYRUP 6 oz. CLUB SODA Combine all ingredients (except club soda) in a large punch bowl or drink container. Stir and top with club soda. Add ice.
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2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1 oz. SIMPLE SYRUP* 3/4 oz. FRESH LEMON JUICE 1/2 oz. RED WINE Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a double old fashioned glass over fresh ice. Float red wine on top.
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • GETTING CREATIVE WITH RYE
LAWRENCEBURG SOUR
*Simple Syrup: Heat and stir 16 oz. of turbinado sugar and 16 oz. of water until you have a syrup. Remove from heat and add the peels of one orange. Let orange peels steep in syrup for 24 hours. Strain orange peels. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. (Yields 24 oz.) 47
TONY ABOU-GANIM Master Mixologist
Tony Abou-Ganim is widely regarded as one of the leading bar professionals in the world, known for elite cocktail programs such as Bellagio Las Vegas and Caesars Palace. An accomplished cocktail educator and writer, Abou-Ganim has made dozens of national TV appearances including TODAY, Good Morning America, CNBC and Fox News. He is the author of The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails, a former host of the Fine Living program Raising the Bar: America’s Best Bar Chefs, and a three-time cocktail winner of Iron Chef America. Find out more at modernmixologist.com. 48
PROFESSIONALS AND
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS
ONE OF THE LEADING BAR EDUCATORS IN THE WORLD, TONY ABOU-GANIM (THE MODERN MIXOLOGIST) IS A THREE-TIME COCKTAIL WINNER OF IRON CHEF AMERICA.
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JUST FOR MARY
by Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim
2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1/2 CHERRY HEERING 1/2 oz. LILLET BLOND 2 dashes REGAN’S ORANGE BITTERS NO. 6 GARNISHES: ORANGE AND BRANDIED CHERRY In an ice-filled mixing glass add Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey, Cherry Heering, Lillet, and orange bitters. Stir until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Finish with essence of a burnt orange twist and discard. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
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1 1/2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1 1/2 oz. BLACK CHERRY JUICE 1 tsp. AGAVE NECTAR 3-4 dashes ANGOSTURA BITTERS GARNISH: ORANGE PEEL TWIST Place black cherry juice, nectar and bitters in old fashioned glass
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • CLASSICS REVISITED
BLACK CHERRY OLD FASHIONED
and blend. Add Rossville Union Master Crafted Rye. Garnish with orange twist and enjoy.
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VIEUX-CARRE 3/4 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 3/4 oz. COGNAC 3/4 oz. SWEET VERMOUTH 1 tsp. BENEDICTINE 2 dashes PEYCHAUD’S BITTERS 2 dashes ANGOSTURA BITTERS GARNISH: LEMON TWIST
Add all ingredients to a rocks glass. Fill with ice and stir. Garnish with lemon twist and serve.
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2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1/2 oz. SIMPLE SYRUP 1/4 oz. ABSINTHE 2 dashes PEYCHAUD’S BARREL-AGED BITTERS LEMON PEEL Rinse an Old Fashioned glass with the
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • CLASSICS REVISITED
SOUL OF 1847
absinthe. Discard absinthe. Combine all ingredients but absinthe in a mixing glass. Add ice and expressed lemon peel. Stir for 30 seconds. Strain into the Old Fashioned Glass. Garnish with lemon peel. Serve neat. 53
RASHAUN HALL
Spirits and Culture Writer
Rashaun Hall is a spirits and culture writer based in the New York metro area. After years of writing about entertainment for Billboard, MTV and others, Rashaun turned his focus to booze and bar culture — an homage to his late father, a bartender. He currently writes for The Whiskey Lifestyle and his own publication, Bartimestories.com.
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ABOUT RYE
“
I LOVE RYE BECAUSE OF ITS
SPICINESS. I STARTED MY
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS
WHAT I LOVE
WHISKEY JOURNEY WITH SCOTCH. MANY OF MY FRIENDS BEGAN TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY LOVED BOURBON...
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I FOUND THAT THE COMPLEX
NOSE AND PALETTE OF RYE WAS MORE SATISFYING FOR ME.
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THE RYE SOCIETY
by Rashaun Hall, Spirits and Culture Writer
“
This cocktail was inspired by my love of pop culture. It is boozy like a country song and bittersweet like an indie film.
1.5 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1/2 oz. CYNAR 3/4 oz. CAMPARNO ANTICA 1/2 oz. FRESH GRAPEFRUIT JUICE 2 Dashes GRAPEFRUIT BITTERS GARNISH: GRAPEFRUIT TWIST Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an old fashioned glass and garnish with a grapefruit twist.
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2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1 oz. PAMPLEMOOSE ROSE 1/2 oz. FRESH LIME JUICE GARNISH: GRAPEFRUIT PEEL AND LUXARDO CHERRY Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain over
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • ENTERTAINING WITH RYE
SUMMER UNION
fresh ice into a double rocks glass; garnish with grapefruit peel and luxardo cherry.
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BLACK WALNUT SIDECAR 2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 1 oz. DRY CURACAO (OR TRIPLE SEC) 3/4 oz. FRESH LEMON JUICE 2 dashes BLACK WALNUT BITTERS GARNISH: ORANGE PEEL OR LUXARDO CHERRY Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a cocktail coupe. Garnish with expressed orange peel and/or luxardo cherry.
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2 oz. ROSSVILLE UNION MASTER CRAFTED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 3/4 oz. HONEY SIMPLE SYRUP 3/4 oz. LEMON JUICE 4 oz. HIBISCUS TEA GARNISH: LEMON PEEL OR EDIBLE FLOWER Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin over ice and shake.
ROSSVILLE UNION RYE 101 • ROSSVILLE COCKTAILS • ENTERTAINING WITH RYE
HIBISCUS WHISKEY SOUR
Strain over fresh ice in a collins glass. Garnish with a lemon peel or edible flower.
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MASTERING THE ARTOF TASTING RYE WHISKEY IS
A JOURNEY WORTH EXPERIENCING
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