Four Gate Batch 21 8 Year Rye Port PerryPerry 750ML

Four Gate Batch 21 8 Year Rye Port Perry Perry 750ML is a limited-release, 8-year-old straight rye whiskey finished in Australian Tawny Port casks, bottled at 112.2 proof (56.1% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. With only 2,148 bottles produced, this batch stands out in Four Gate's lineup for its uncommon Australian port-cask influence layered over a high-rye MGP distillate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 56.1% (112.2 Proof)  |  Origin: Distilled in Indiana, Bottled in Kentucky  |  Age: 8 Years  |  Distillery: MGP of Indiana  |  Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Production & Heritage

Four Gate Whiskey Company, a Kentucky-based independent bottler founded in 2018 by Bob D'Antoni and Bill Straub, sources mature whiskey and applies distinctive finishing techniques to create small-batch releases. Batch 21, named Port Perry Perry, begins as an 8-year straight rye whiskey distilled at MGP of Indiana using their signature 95/5 rye-to-malted-barley mashbill — one of the most respected high-rye recipes in American whiskey. The liquid was then finished in Australian Tawny Port casks, a departure from the more commonly seen American or European finishing barrels, imparting a distinct layer of dark fruit richness and tannic structure to the already spice-forward rye base.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with assertive black pepper and baking spice, then unfolds into brighter citrus zest and orange peel. A second wave brings red fruit jam and dried plum, with a subtle sticky sweetness from the port-cask influence.

Taste: The entry is sharp with citrus zest and fresh orange before transitioning into a mid-palate of black pepper, clove, and warming rye spice. As it develops, plum and raspberry emerge alongside a jammy, almost preserves-like sweetness that balances the grain's natural intensity.

Finish: Medium to long, with lingering citrus, black pepper, and dark red fruits that hold steady through the fade. A sticky, preserves-like quality persists alongside gentle tannic dryness from the Tawny Port wood.

How to Drink Port Perry Perry

At 112.2 proof, this rye rewards a slow, neat pour — consider a few drops of water to open up the fruit and citrus layers without drowning the spice. It also holds its own in spirit-forward cocktails. A Manhattan benefits from the port-finished rye's built-in dark fruit sweetness, reducing the need for extra vermouth. A Sazerac gains additional complexity as the citrus and pepper notes amplify the cocktail's herbal backbone. A Vieux Carré pairs naturally, the port-cask richness meshing with the drink's layered, Cognac-and-rye structure.

Best For

• Rye whiskey collectors seeking limited-production, independently bottled releases
• Gifting a serious whiskey enthusiast who values unique cask finishes
• Side-by-side tastings comparing port-finished and bourbon-barrel-finished ryes
• After-dinner sipping as a dessert-course spirit alongside dried fruit or dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Port Perry Perry taste like? Port Perry Perry delivers a bold combination of black pepper, clove, and citrus zest upfront, followed by dark fruit flavors like plum and raspberry with a jammy, preserves-like sweetness from the Australian Tawny Port cask finish.

How does Port Perry Perry compare to Four Gate Ruby Rye Springs? Both expressions start from MGP's 95/5 rye mashbill, but Port Perry Perry uses Australian Tawny Port casks for finishing while Ruby Rye Springs was finished in Ruby Port casks, giving Port Perry Perry a more oxidative, dried-fruit character compared to the brighter berry notes of the Ruby finish. The proof and age may also differ between releases.

Is Port Perry Perry good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 112.2 proof, the port-cask influence adds enough fruit sweetness and tannic structure to balance the heat, making it a rewarding neat pour, especially with a few drops of water.

Where is Port Perry Perry made? The rye whiskey is distilled at MGP of Indiana in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and is finished and bottled in Kentucky by Four Gate Whiskey Company.

What foods pair well with Port Perry Perry? Dark chocolate truffles complement the port-cask sweetness; aged hard cheeses like Manchego balance the rye spice; cured charcuterie echoes the peppery backbone; fig preserves or dried apricots mirror the jammy fruit notes; and roasted duck with a berry reduction bridges the dark fruit and spice elements.

What sizes does Port Perry Perry come in? Four Gate Batch 21 Port Perry Perry is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Port Perry Perry worth the price? Port Perry Perry positions as a premium, limited-release expression with only 2,148 bottles produced, an 8-year age statement, and an uncommon Australian Tawny Port cask finish — placing it firmly in the collectible tier of independently bottled American rye whiskey.

Why Port Perry Perry?

The use of Australian Tawny Port casks is genuinely rare in American whiskey finishing, giving Batch 21 a flavor profile that stands apart from the wave of standard port, sherry, and wine-barrel finishes saturating the market. Built on MGP's benchmark 95/5 rye mashbill with a full 8 years of age, the base spirit arrives with enough maturity and complexity to support the assertive cask influence without being overwhelmed. A production run of just 2,148 bottles underscores the scarcity that has defined Four Gate's approach since the brand's founding. For collectors and rye enthusiasts drawn to cask-finished whiskey with genuine provenance and an unusual twist, this batch delivers a distinctive intersection of spice, fruit, and structure.