Grain & Barrel Spirits has released its limited-edition Chicken Cock Cotton Club Canadian Rye Whiskey.
This aged for 20 years, and comes bottled in a Prohibition-era Chicken Cock replica apothecary-style bottle at 100 proof (50% ABV).
The mash bill contains 90% rye and 10% malted barley.
Originally established in Paris, Kentucky in 1856, Chicken Cock moved production up to Canada during Prohibition. Canadian Rye whiskey made during that period was smuggled back into the U.S. in tin cans, the company says.
It was around this time that Chicken Cock rose gained fame as the featured house whiskey at The Cotton Club (located in Harlem at 142nd St. and Lenox Avenue), one of Prohibition’s top speakeasies.
“This luxury spirit and commemorative tin honor Chicken Cock’s Prohibition-era history and a period where the brand ventured north to carry on its tradition of bringing high quality whiskey to patrons across the country,” says Matti Anttila, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits. “This rare straight rye whiskey signals a return to pre-prohibition times, when the classic spirit was more prevalent, while also honoring the brand’s history and heritage. We even maintained the spelling of ‘whiskey’ versus ‘whisky’ on the original tin from Prohibition.”
After Prohibition, Chicken Cock had a resurgent couple of decades before a distillery fire just after World War II put it out of business. In 2012, Anttila set out to resurrect the brand alongside Master Distiller Gregg Snyder. Since that time, the team has introduced a flagship KY Straight Bourbon and KY Straight Rye Whiskey, made in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company as part of its collaborative distilling program.
Aromas for Chicken Cock Cotton Club Canadian Rye include candy with slight grassy rye, earthy notes, hints of citrus/orange peel, spice and white pepper, according to the company. The palate is vanilla, spice and sweet molasses, with notes of pepper, citrus and toasted oak. On the finish is pepper, spice and sweetness, with a buttery mouthfeel.
Chicken Cock Cotton Club Canadian Rye Whiskey (1,595 6-pack cases) is available for the suggested retail price of $499.99 per 750-ml. bottle, online via Passion Spirits, Flaviar, Caskers, and Cask Cartel, and soon nationally via special allocation.
