Wilderness Trail Rye
Overall Score: 6.75/10
Overall Value: 3/5
Distillery: Wilderness Trail Distillery
Classification: Straight Rye
Company: Campari Group
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 100
Age: NAS
Color: Honey
MSRP: $50 (2025)
Mashbill: 56% Rye, 33% Corn, 11% Malted Barley
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on the Wilderness Trail Rye starts with a burst of red fruits and rye spice—almost like standing beside a Christmas tree. Mixed berry jelly and buttered biscuit notes follow, rounded out by hints of caramel, chocolate, and marshmallow. There’s a light oak presence that adds balance without overpowering the sweetness.
On the palate, the whiskey starts syrupy and sweet, with bright notes of blue raspberry and honey before shifting toward caramel and a touch of rye grain spice. Mid-sip, a faint leathery, slightly astringent note creeps in, taking away from what starts as a juicy, dessert-like profile.
The finish is soft and short, showing caramel, honey, and a little citrus—almost like orange or pineapple juice lingering in the background. It’s pleasant but doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression.
Wilderness Trail’s Bottled-in-Bond Rye delivers a fun and approachable profile at its MSRP, especially for those who like sweeter, fruit-forward rye whiskeys. The nose is easily the highlight, rich and layered, while the palate and finish come across lighter and less cohesive. If you spot this bottle on sale, it’s worth picking up as an easy sipper, but enthusiasts may find themselves wishing for a cask strength version to unlock more depth.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
Mixed berry jelly on a buttered biscuit.
There is a little bit of a light oak profile present as well.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light. The first half is juicy, sweet and tastes a bit like blue raspberry sucker.
The second half of the sip I get a bit of a shoe polish flavor and leather.
THE FINISH:
Almost a bit of orange juice aftertaste or pineapple juice.
BUY OR PASS?
I was really excited from the nose, but the palate and the finish taste completely different. It’s really the last half of the palate getting a bit astringent that pulls this sip down.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
Right away I get red fruits and a punch of rye spice, almost like standing next to a Christmas tree.
After tasting, the sweeter dessert notes show up—caramel, chocolate, and even a touch of marshmallow.
THE TASTE:
Very sweet on the palate, almost syrupy at first.
The main flavor is rye with just a little honey and caramel peeking through.
It’s enjoyable, but it doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the nose.
THE FINISH:
The caramel and honey hang around, which is nice, but beyond that there isn’t much going on.
BUY OR PASS?
For $50, this is a solid pour and easy to recommend. That said, the nose sets up big expectations that the palate and finish don’t fully deliver on.
I can’t help but think a barrel strength version of this would really shine.
