13th Colony Cask strength Rye Whiskey
The Stats
- Distillery: 13th Colony Distillery
- Location: Americus, Georgia
- Type: Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
- Age: Estimated 5–7 Years
- Proof: 120.7 (60.35% ABV)
- Mash Bill: 95% Rye / 5% Malted Barley
- Release: Ongoing Release (2025)
- Price: $75-$85
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Craft whiskey is exploding right now, and while plenty of small distilleries are still learning their footing, Thirteenth Colony has quietly built a reputation for doing things the right way. Their Cask Strength Rye, a Georgia-aged 120+ proof powerhouse, has been showing up on shelves and social feeds across the country. It has hype, heat, and a cult-like following. But the real question is simple:
Does this southern rye deserve the attention, or is it just another craft bottle getting a boost from the trend?
Founded in Americus, Georgia, Thirteenth Colony has spent years carving out an identity rooted in southern whiskey tradition. Their rye lineup started with softer, friendlier profiles, but this cask-strength release feels like the moment they stepped confidently into the bigger arena. Higher proof. More age. More attitude. And a whole lot more ambition.
A Confident Southern Statement
Thirteenth Colony doesn’t rely on ornate packaging or loud design, but they do use color with purpose. The Cask Strength Rye keeps its familiar bottle silhouette and minimalist label, shifting to a deep, rich teal that reads as a modern, elevated evolution of their standard rye’s softer tones. It’s close enough to the typical “green = rye” cue, but brighter, moodier, more mature.
Inside, the whiskey is made from a classic 95/5 rye mash bill and aged for 5–7 years. Nothing unusual on paper, until you taste it. This isn’t a delicate rye trying to win you over with charm. This is a bold southern heavyweight showing off.
If you’re looking for intensity, complexity, and heat in perfect balance, you’re in the right place.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
After a brief rest, the nose opens with a burst of spicy cherry, followed by earthy toffee and a light touch of oak. As it continues to open, a sweeter layer emerges, bringing in a candied-orange note reminiscent of an orange jelly bean. The overall aroma is expressive, layered, and unmistakably rye-forward.
Taste
The palate comes in bold from the first sip, delivering a strong wave of rye spice immediately. Caramel and molasses add depth, while rich dark fruits build with each sip. Oak and earthy undertones provide structure, and as the whiskey settles, notes of clove and mint appear in the background. Some palates may even pick up a subtle cashew-like nuttiness. Every flavor feels amplified, powerful, and confidently balanced.
Finish
The finish is long and warm, carrying the rye spice forward while allowing the fruit sweetness and caramel tones to linger. It offers a satisfying, full-bodied rye hug that remains bold yet never harsh.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
8.5 / 10 - Very Good to Excellent
Thirteenth Colony Cask Strength Rye is a force. It’s bold, it’s flavorful, and it’s packed with personality. This is southern rye with confidence. It’s rich, spicy, fruity, and unmistakably crafted with intention.
Retailing between $70 and $85, it punches its price point. At MSRP, it’s absolutely a buy for rye lovers. At secondary? Thankfully, it’s not a bottle that tends to spiral out of control.
If you’re expecting a gentle sipper, this isn’t that. But if you crave big proof, big flavor, and a rye that leans into its identity instead of hiding from it, this bottle will hit the sweet spot. It’s a standout in the craft rye space and one of the few that delivers both hype and substance.
A bold southern rye worth hunting, pouring, and talking about.
