Intro: From New Riff website:

Comprised of just three barrels, O.K.I. Bourbon Whiskey deftly balances the spicy wallop of a 35% rye grain bill, with the oaky confection of eight-plus years of age. It enters the mouth gently, picking up the rye theme at mid-palate and jamming on from there. The finish is like a swirling cloud of clove-and-pepper rye spice. Hats off to the master distiller of Lawrenceburg, Indiana on a job well done! This unfiltered Bourbon whiskey is scrumptious taken straight up, but opens further with a splash of water.

Review:

I am reviewing a bottle of the O.K.I. Reserve, batch 23, aged 10 years.

The nose - I gotta be honest, while looking for pictures to use, I came across another reviewer's site and saw their notes on this bourbon. They listed rye spice, leather, peaches, butterscotch, vanilla, coffee beans, whipping cream, and baked pie crust....W...T...F?! I got the vanilla and rye spice. When the last time I put nose to a pie crust, I can't say with certainty....I can say, I wouldn't recognize it if there was pie crust floating in my glass! Anyhow, the vapors are lightly present and improving the longer I type. It is very aromatic and cinnamony….it smells delicious.

The rub - This almost dulls the smell to nothing (aside from the rye) after putting nose in the snifter. I'll give it a minute and try again. Slapping and rubbing palms together like Mr. Miyagi's Healing Touch, I gave it another try....not much more to pick up. I only get a bit of the yeast on this attempt. YOU FAILED ME MIYAGI-SAN! Oh well...on to the taste.

The taste - From the same reviewer's website, tastes of rye spice, cinnamon, peaches, white pepper, and new oak along with a hint of summer berries. Oh, you can delineate white pepper from black?! Summer berries? Raspberries taste much different than blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, strawberries, or elderberries! Which one...or is it a berry melody?! I digress. When I sipped this, I picked up no heat to the lips or front of the tongue, a mild heat to the center of the tongue, and a mild heat to the throat and chest with a smooth finish. The rye and cinnamon are still there along with the typical vanilla notes. This is a very smooth and easy drinking bourbon....one you can hold in the mouth and swish around like a mouthwash of corn and rye! I am a fan.

Is it worth the $?

I got this for right around $50 at a boutique liquor store in Louisville. I think $50 is a fair price for this little guy.