J.T. Meleck High Proof Rice Whiskey
The Stats
- Distillery: J.T. Meleck Distillers
- Location: Louisiana
- Type: Rice Whiskey
- Age: 4+ Years
- Proof: 118 (59% ALC/VOL)
- Mash Bill: 100% Louisiana Rice
- Release: Summer 2022
- Price: $65
Bourbon may be America’s native spirit, but in southern Louisiana, rice is king. And in the case of J.T. Meleck High Proof Rice Whiskey, that heritage is poured straight into the glass.
I first came across this bottle on a trip to New Orleans—tucked away on a local shelf. I didn’t know much about rice whiskey. Who does? But something about it called for a closer look. One sip later, and this Louisiana-made spirit had earned its spot in the suitcase and on our review list.
Crafted from a 100% rice mash bill, this is not a bourbon, not a rye, and not your usual grain experiment. It’s something else entirely—a grain-to-glass Louisiana whiskey that defies expectations. And at 118 proof, it does so with serious intensity.
A Bayou-Born Original
J.T. Meleck isn’t sourcing, blending, or chasing trends. They’re doing something much rarer: turning their own rice into whiskey, from field to barrel. Aged for over four years and distilled by a fifth-generation rice farming family, this bottle proves that American whiskey still has room to surprise us.
Distilled and aged on-site in Branch, Louisiana, this whiskey captures the unique qualities of long grain rice—soft, floral, and a little earthy—but then dials it up to 118 proof for a bold, high-octane expression that holds its own against corn and rye-based whiskeys.
There’s no corn, no malt, no wheat—just rice. And that gives this pour a clean, curious profile that flips the script on what you expect whiskey to taste like.
Tasting Notes
Aroma:
Delicate but spicy. Expect notes of roasted grain, vanilla cream, and floral honey, with subtle hints of chocolate brownie and toasted peaches. There’s a clean elegance here, but the proof peeks through.
Taste:
Surprisingly full-bodied for a rice whiskey. The palate delivers light notes of cinnamon and vanilla, followed by a wave of black pepper spice, floral, and citrus notes. There’s a creamy mid-palate, but also a slight minerality or grainy quality, giving it a distinctive edge. The proof hits quickly but fades into flavor.
Finish:
Medium to long. A slight oaky finish with lingering notes of chocolate brownie, orange, peaches, and floral tea. The heat returns late but is never harsh.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
7 / 10 - GOOD
J.T. Meleck High Proof Rice Whiskey is a rare American original—a whiskey that feels both familiar and completely new. The high proof gives it weight, while the 100% rice mash bill gives it an identity unlike anything else on the shelf.
It’s not a daily drinker for everyone. But for the curious whiskey drinker, the grain geek, or the bourbon lover looking for something off the beaten path, this is absolutely worth a pour.
Bold, floral, and undeniably different—this Louisiana rice whiskey is quietly carving out its own legacy.
