Inside the Bottle: A Filmland Spirits sequel accompanied by a rye whiskey primer

Filmland Spirits Ryes of the Robots // Photo by Mike Dahlor

It is not often in life that one finds the sequel to be as good as the original, much less better. 

In this case, it’s not really a sequel, but a second installment. If Filmland Spirits keeps this up, they are on their way to building a dynasty. Last month we discussed Filmland’s Moonlight Mayhem. This month, we turn our attention to their Ryes of the Robots. 

Having dispelled any fear of being taken by a pretty label or sparkling bottle design, I jumped right into this offering. This expression is available in both a 47% (94 proof) ABV bottling and a 54% (108 proof) Cask Strength offering. We’ll talk about them both but let me say this first:  I have never had a 47% ABV pour that offered so much to explore. It took me by surprise.  Of all the whiskey I have tried, and all the whiskey I own, there have been only five or six bottles I found myself wanting to smell as much as drink, and Ryes of the Robots is one of them.

Rye whiskey is arguably the original American whiskey. In brief, as settlers migrated “across the pond” and began to homestead the new colonies, they found in the cooler and tempered climate of what is now the American northeast barley did not grow as well as it had in their homelands of Scotland and Ireland. The grain that did grow, and robustly, was rye.  It was there they turned their focus to distilling spirits. It was not until much later, as these fledgling colonies spread south, that rye grain began to take a back seat to the use of corn as the primary grain. That’s a little history lesson all on its own.  

Rye whiskeys tend to be more spice-forward and “earthy.” I’m a fan of this style of whiskey as it can offer a break from the sweetness of other whiskey styles. What I was not expecting was the depth of character in a 47% (94 proof) offering. 

Typically, as one proofs whiskey down, the aromas and flavor can become diluted. Proofing whiskey is as much of an art form as blending, but it can be a wonderful way for you to explore your bar in a completely different light. Let me say that Filmland has done as brilliant a job with proofing their Ryes of the Robots as they have with their sourcing & blending. So, what was so surprising to me? Let’s find out! (Oh, I almost forgot- check out the trailer!)

Filmland Spirits Rye of the Robots Small Batch Rye

On the Nose

Honey & mint surrounded by lemon candy sweetness. I find hints of clarified butter mingled with sweet, seasoned clover hay. A lovely blend of clove & cinnamon brulé, all mingling together to remind me of late April country evenings as nature prepared to rain. This is the shining medal for this whiskey. It presents an offering to the nose that is ripe for exploration. I just wanted to keep sniffing, and picking, and finding those new things. A beautifully deep nose and at 47%- amazing!

On the Palate

The opening night for this pour revealed a sweet, candied lemon and orange note. Hints of honey popping in and out. The level 4 char of the barrel presents in the mid-palate and begins to balance out the sweetness. Where Filmland Spirits again shines through with the mastery of balance. Holding this in the mouth just lets the whiskey level out and provides a delightful lemon and honey “hot toddy” vibe that makes one almost not even want to swallow it.

Finish

As with bourbon last month, the finish is shorter than expected but very pleasant. Caramelized lemon notes act as the carrier for those balancing tannin notes in the oak to carry through. While it is not notably long, it is notably balanced and pleasing. The finish draws one in for another sip.

ABV: 47% (94 proof)

Rating: 90

Price: $59.99

Filmland Spirits Ryes of the Robots Extended Cut 

On the Nose

Everything one finds on the nose of the standard label Ryes of the Robots is found in their cask strength offering. The new twist is all the honey and lemon notes are warmly blanketed by sweet oak. The #4 char is definitely a headliner on the nose of this offering.

On the Palate

This full-strength presentation presents the cast and ensemble of the spirit, but with twists and turns not found at 47%. The oak is present throughout the entire performance, but the rye spice is more pronounced and holds on to the end. The “hot toddy” notes found in the 47% offering present more toward the finish at cask strength.

Finish

The “extended cut” perfectly describes this 54% ABV offering. The balance is there, holding all the aspects together all the way through.  

ABV: 54% (108 proof)

Rating: 90

Price: $84.99

Rating Key:
90-100: Buy & hoard it. Share it only with Whiskey nerds you want to be indebted to you.
70-89: Buy it, enjoy it liberally because you can get more when you want to.
40-69: Worth it to try because you can always make a cocktail if you need to
20-39: go ahead if you want to, experience is learning.
0-19: You were warned.