Monday or Tuesday as the case may be bourbon review

Monday Bourbon Review

Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye

Denver, Colorado | 47.5% ABV

Sometimes the best bottles aren’t unicorns because they’re impossible to find.

They’re unicorns because your state simply doesn’t get them.

New Hampshire is blessed with one of the best state liquor systems in the country, but every now and then you have to cross state lines to find something different. Laws Whiskey House is one of those distilleries. Built around heirloom grain grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, this isn’t a rye trying to imitate Kentucky. It’s proud of where it came from.

And honestly…

That’s exactly why I like it.

The Nose

The first thing that hits you isn’t the rye spice.

It’s fresh grain.

Orange peel.

Honey.

A little black tea.

Then comes that unmistakable herbal rye note that says,

“Yeah…this isn’t Kentucky.”

It’s earthy without being muddy.

Different without trying too hard.

The Palate

This is where it gets fun.

Pepper.

Mint.

Salted toffee.

Orange zest.

A little dark fruit sneaks in before the rye spice starts climbing.

It’s bold without being aggressive.

Instead of punching you in the face, it just keeps introducing itself one flavor at a time.

Every sip seems to reveal something you missed on the last one.

The Finish

Medium-long.

Warm baking spices.

Fresh cracked pepper.

A lingering herbal note that reminds you this whiskey came from Colorado instead of the Bluegrass.

The finish hangs around just long enough to convince you another sip is probably a good idea…

…and then another.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a beginner’s rye.

If you’re looking for sweet caramel, vanilla, and just a little spice, this probably isn’t your bottle.

But if you enjoy rye that actually tastes like rye…

If you appreciate whiskey that reflects the place it was grown…

If you like finding bottles your buddies back home can’t just walk into the liquor store and buy…

This one deserves a spot on your shelf.

It’s a reminder that great American whiskey isn’t limited to Kentucky and Tennessee.

Sometimes Colorado quietly reminds everybody it knows a thing or two as well.

Rating

8.8/10

Would I Buy It Again?

Without hesitation.

If I run across another bottle, it’s probably coming home with me.

Sometimes the best souvenirs aren’t T-shirts.

Sometimes they’re 750 milliliters of Colorado in a square bottle.

Would I Share It With a Friend?

If I had another bottle?

Absolutely.

Good whiskey is meant to be shared, and this is the kind of pour that turns into a two-hour conversation.

But this bottle?

I’ve only got a little left.

So…I’m being selfish.

Some friendships can survive me saying, “I’ve got something special.”

The really good ones understand when I add…

“Yeah…but not this time.”

Would I Share It With an Enemy?

Not even if I had another bottle.

They can drink something that comes in plastic.

This one’s earned better company than that.

🥃 Cheers, y’all. Until next Monday.