Five & 20 Spirits Deep Water Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
- Aug 25
- 5 min read
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
About This Spirit from the Maker
Five & 20 Spirits Deep Water Rye Straight Water Whiskey
Proof: 99
ABV: 49.5%
Aging: Aged 7 years
Grain Bill: 80% NY Rye, 20% Barley Malt
Distilling Notes
This whiskey has been a long time coming. This spirit waited patiently in charred American oak barrels for at least 7 years before it got its time to shine. The extra aging adds a richer, sweeter profile to complement the spicy rye character of this mash bill.
Heavy caramel aromas and rye spice aromas upfront with a hint of orange zest coming in late. The longer aging gives a chewy caramel initial flavor profile. Deep and intense wood flavors pair well with the spiciness of the rye for a lengthy finish.
Enjoy this 7 year aged Rye Whiskey neat, on the rocks or with a splash of water.
Awards
91 points – VinePair
The 30 Best Rye Whiskeys for 2023 – VinePair
2019 NY International Spirits Competition – NY Rye Distillery of the Year
About This Spirit from PourMore
Source: PourMore Insert
Five & 20 Deep Water Rye Single Barrel Selection
Producer/Distiller: Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing
Type: Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Origin: Westfield, New York, USA
Story:
Five & 20 Deep Water Rye Single Barrel Selection showcases the individual character of a carefully selected cask from the distillery's Deep Water Rye program. Produced from Five & 20's grain-to-glass rye whiskey, the single barrel format allows the influence of extended oak maturation and the individual barrel to shine through, creating a more concentrated and distinctive expression. It builds on the distillery's signature balance of sweet grain and bold rye spice while offering additional depth and complexity.
Tasting Notes:
The nose opens with rich caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and bright orange zest alongside classic rye spice. The palate is full and warming, with brown sugar, butterscotch, baking spice, dried fruit, and deep oak. The finish is long and layered, bringing lingering rye pepper, seasoned oak, caramel sweetness, and a touch of citrus.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
How We Feel About the Spirit
Five & 20 Deep Water Rye: A Single Barrel Story Worth Savoring
Written by Nancy Fae for His, Hers & the Good Life
Introduction
Every now and then, a bottle arrives that feels like a little adventure wrapped in glass. Our August 2026 PourMore Enthusiast Whiskey of the Month Club delivery brought exactly that: a Five & 20 Spirits Deep Water Rye Single Barrel Selection — mysterious, unfamiliar, and immediately intriguing.
We had never heard of Five & 20 Spirits, tucked away in Westfield, New York, but the moment we started reading about this limited-release single barrel rye, the excitement kicked in. Extra aging for a richer, sweeter profile? A mash bill built for spice? Rated 91 points by VinePair and named one of their “30 Best Rye Whiskeys for 2023”?
That’s practically a welcome mat rolled out for us — Jeff, the resident Rye Guy, and me, the lover of sweeter profiles. The bottle now sits proudly in the Sipping Room, waiting for its debut. And if the tasting notes are any indication — caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, orange zest, brown sugar, baking spice, dried fruit, deep oak — we’re in for a treat.
His Take (Jeff)
There’s something about a single barrel rye that feels like a handshake from the distiller — personal, intentional, and a little bit daring. This Five & 20 Deep Water Rye has that vibe. The bottle itself looks like it knows things, like it’s been sitting in a quiet rickhouse corner absorbing stories along with oak.
The promise of extra aging is what hooked me. Rye can be bold, punchy, even a little unruly, but when you add time and patience, you get this deeper, sweeter, more mature version of the grain. The tasting notes read like a dessert menu crossed with a spice rack — caramel, brown sugar, baking spice, citrus. That’s my kind of rye.
I’m already imagining that first pour: warm, full, layered, with that lingering peppery finish. This one feels like it’s going to be a slow-sipper, the kind you lean back with and let unfold.
Her Take (Nancy Fae)
I love a bottle with a backstory, and this one practically arrived with a novella. A grain‑to‑glass rye from a distillery we’ve never tried? A single barrel selection? A limited release? That’s the trifecta of intrigue.
The sweeter profile is what caught my eye. I’m a sucker for caramel-forward whiskies, and this one promises caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and butterscotch. Add in dried fruit and toasted oak, and suddenly I’m picturing a cozy autumn evening — even though it’s August.
The citrus notes make me smile. Orange zest on the nose and a touch of citrus on the finish? That’s the kind of brightness that keeps a whiskey from feeling heavy. It’s like a wink from the glass.
We haven’t opened it yet, but I already know this bottle is going to be a moment. The kind we’ll remember.
Closing in the His, Hers & the Good Life Style
His (Jeff)
This bottle feels like a quiet powerhouse — no flash, no fuss, just depth, character, and craftsmanship. I’m ready for that first pour.
Her (Nancy Fae)
It’s the kind of whiskey that feels like a reward for curiosity. A little unexpected, a little indulgent, and absolutely Good Life material.
The Good Life
The Good Life is built on discovery — new bottles, new stories, new flavors. This Five & 20 Deep Water Rye Single Barrel Selection fits right in: a limited-release gem that brings sweetness, spice, and a whole lot of anticipation.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
How to Enjoy
This rye is built for savoring. With its richer, sweeter profile and layered spice, it shines best when enjoyed neat — letting the caramel, vanilla, and citrus unfold naturally.
If you prefer a touch of chill, a single large ice sphere will soften the spice and coax out the brown sugar and butterscotch notes.
Cocktails? You could use it, but this is a single barrel selection — meant to be appreciated, not hidden. If you insist on a cocktail, make it a minimalist one. PourMore shared the recipe for the Deep Water Rye Citrus Smash.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
Comments