In Might 2025, Denver-based Legal guidelines Whiskey Home launched the second installment of its Headwaters Collection: Headwaters 2025 San Luis Valley Straight Rye. This limited-edition expression honors the Rio Grande River, aligning with Legal guidelines’ core perception that sustainable whiskey is determined by sustainable water sources. The discharge is available in response to AmericanRivers.org naming the Decrease Rio Grande considered one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2025. As a part of its ongoing dedication to water stewardship, Legal guidelines Whiskey Home will donate 10% of proceeds from this launch to the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Challenge (RGHRP)—a nonprofit group devoted to rehabilitating and defending the Rio Grande Basin in Colorado.
Headwaters 2025 San Luis Valley Straight Rye is proofed down utilizing water from the Rio Grande itself—the identical water that nourished the rye grain used within the mash. This 12 months’s mashbill consists of 100% heirloom San Luis Valley rye: 50% uncooked and 50% malted. It is a notable departure from some previous releases of Legal guidelines’ San Luis Valley Rye, which featured a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley.
The heirloom rye was grown at an elevation of seven,500 ft in Colorado’s San Luis Valley by the Cody household, who’ve cultivated this low-yield, semi-wild grain because the Thirties. After a four-day open-air fermentation, the mash was distilled via a 2,000-gallon stripping nonetheless and a 500-gallon spirit nonetheless—each hybrid pot/column stills from Vendome, operated right here as conventional pot stills. Distilled to 125 proof, the spirit was barreled at entry proofs between 105 and 110 in 53-gallon #3 char barrels from Unbiased Stave Firm. The ultimate whiskey is a mix of 5 barrels: three aged for 4.5 years, one for six.7 years, and the oldest for 8.2 years. It was bottled at 100 proof.
Legal guidelines Headwaters San Luis Valley Rye (2025) Evaluation
The heirloom rye in Headwaters 2025 San Luis Valley Rye opens with a nostril marked by balsamic cedar and a wholesome dose of grapefruit oil. These lead shortly into aromas of orange blossom honey, dry hay, and agency, underripe peaches. The general impression is a mixture of brightness, earth tones, and lightweight sweetness. On the palate, cooked quince and Biscoff cookies set the tone, adopted by notes of macadamia nuts and tamarind. The whiskey carries a medium-thick texture that holds the flavors properly. Because it finishes, almond and dried cherry present up first, with brown sugar and spearmint closing issues out.
Headwaters 2025 is a worthy addition to Legal guidelines Whiskey Home’s lineup. Using heirloom rye brings a definite taste profile that stands out from extra standard rye expressions. At $85, with 10% of proceeds supporting the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Challenge, it provides each high-quality whiskey and a contribution to a significant trigger. For many who respect character and craftsmanship in rye, it’s buy.
100 proof.
B+ / $85 / lawswhiskeyhouse.com
Legal guidelines Headwaters San Luis Valley Rye (2025)
USD85
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