Military Rye Review: Thirteenth Colony Southern Rye

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History – 13th Colony Distilleries, founded in 2009 in Americus, Georgia, has the distinction of being the oldest operating distillery in the state since Prohibition. Their story began as a simple holiday project—a group of friends crafting homemade spirits as gifts—but quickly grew into a full-blown passion for distilling. This passion led to the creation of a family-owned and operated distillery that takes immense pride in crafting exceptional spirits. They’re committed to sourcing local and regional ingredients, including corn from their own farm and water from the Southeast’s oldest aquifer, to create spirits that truly capture the essence of Southern heritage.

What really impresses me about 13th Colony is their mission to provide award-winning spirits at an accessible price, making premium quality available to everyone. They deliberately avoid the trappings of pricey celebrity endorsements, large marketing budgets, and flashy packaging that often inflate costs without enhancing the product itself. Instead, they focus on what truly matters—creating spirits that bring people together. Every bottle reflects their belief that great liquor should be enjoyed by all, without a hefty price tag.

A key figure in their success is Graham Arthur, their master distiller and a true artist when it comes to flavor. Graham’s background as a classically trained chef at Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta, coupled with over 13 years of experience in the liquor industry, really sets him apart. His culinary expertise, developed in some of the South’s finest restaurants, shines through in the distinctive flavors he creates at 13th Colony. What I find particularly noteworthy is that Graham personally tastes every barrel, ensuring that each batch meets their high standards before it’s bottled. His disciplined approach, shaped by his service in the US Coast Guard, guarantees that every bottle offers a unique and thoughtfully crafted experience.

What truly sets 13th Colony apart is their location in South Georgia, where the natural climate offers perfect conditions for aging spirits. The region’s hot temperatures and significant temperature swings—known as heat cycles—allow the whiskey to expand and contract within the barrels, drawing out intense flavors. Unlike other distilleries that try to mimic these conditions artificially, 13th Colony relies on the natural environment to do the work. Additionally, the average humidity in Americus is 72%, which is ideal for maintaining the balance between water and alcohol evaporation. This unique combination of factors allows them to produce deeply flavored spirits more efficiently than many other distilleries, capturing the true spirit of the South in every bottle.

 Let’s dig in!

Appearance – The appearance has to be one of the coolest bottles that I have ever seen. It makes my collection glow and I think it’s genius. It’s old looking and bright. 

Nose –  The nose is delightful with prunes, pear and Honey. It really blends the flavors together to make a great overall great nose.

Palate – The palate is a nice thick mouthfeel that gives off a bread pudding, toasted marshmallow and black pepper flavor.

Finish – The finish is great as well as it provides all the flavors of a well rounded product. Coffee Ice Cream really shows its face here along with Cherry Wood and Pistachio.

Value – Amazing value at $45!

Summary – Overall, 13th Colony Distilleries has truly impressed me. From their commitment to quality and accessibility to their careful craftsmanship led by Master Distiller Graham Arthur, they stand out in the world of spirits. The unique bottle design adds a touch of character to my collection, and the tasting experience is exceptional—from the delightful nose of prunes, pear, and honey, to the rich palate of bread pudding, toasted marshmallow, and black pepper, all the way through to the well-rounded finish with notes of coffee ice cream, cherry wood, and pistachio. At just $45, this bottle offers incredible value, making it a must-have for any whiskey enthusiast.

“13th Colony Distilleries delivers exceptional Southern spirits with rich, layered flavors and unbeatable value at just $45.”

– Andrew Workman

Uniqueness- 1-10 – 5

Appearance- 1-10 – 10

Nose- 1-20 – 14

Palate- 1-20 – 13

Finish- 1-20 – 13

Value- 1-20 – 20