Journeyman Not A King Rye 750ML

Journeyman Not A King Rye 750ML is a limited-release organic rye whiskey bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) from Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan. It earned a rare 5-star Highest Recommendation from F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal in June 2016 and took a Gold Medal at the 2018 Berlin International Spirits Competition — accolades that underscore its standing among American craft rye whiskeys.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Three Oaks, Michigan, USA  |  Limited Annual Release (Presidents Day)  |  Distillery: Journeyman Distillery

Production & Heritage

Journeyman Distillery operates out of a historic building in the small town of Three Oaks in southwest Michigan. Not A King is built on a mashbill of 60% organic rye, 35% organic corn, and 5% organic barley — a grain recipe that tilts spicy but allows the high corn ratio to introduce genuine sweetness. The whiskey undergoes a single distillation and is produced using unfiltered, untreated water drawn from an underground aquifer 130 feet below the distillery. Released once a year around Presidents Day, each batch carries a scarcity that reflects Journeyman's small-batch philosophy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with keen rye spiciness that quickly gives way to warm seeded rye bread and new saddle leather. Beneath those layers sit quieter notes of honey and orange peel.

Taste: The entry is sweeter than the nose suggests, led by maple-like caramel and honey that coat the palate. At mid-palate, stone fruit and apricot emerge alongside banana and burnt sugar, while the organic rye reasserts itself with peppery warmth. The mouthfeel is notably creamy and buttery throughout.

Finish: Long and luscious, with a resiny, oaky richness that lingers well past the last sip. The texture stays creamy to the end, tapering off with subtle toasted grain and a whisper of dried fruit.

How to Drink Not A King Rye

The creamy body and layered sweetness reward neat sipping at room temperature; a few drops of water can open up the stone fruit notes further. At 90 proof, it also has enough backbone for cocktails. In an Old Fashioned, the honey-maple sweetness reduces the need for added sugar. A Sazerac showcases the rye spice against absinthe and Peychaud's in a way that few lower-proof ryes can match. In a Manhattan, the buttery texture and caramel character marry well with sweet vermouth without being overpowered.

Best For

• Collectors seeking limited-release American craft whiskey with verified critical acclaim
• Gifting a rye whiskey enthusiast who values organic production and small-batch provenance
• Hosting a guided tasting comparing Michigan craft rye against Kentucky or Indiana-produced ryes
• Marking a special occasion with a once-a-year release tied to Presidents Day

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Not A King Rye taste like? Not A King Rye leads with honey and maple-like caramel sweetness, followed by stone fruit, apricot, and banana, with rye spice and a long, creamy finish. The organic corn in the mashbill gives it a buttery body uncommon in many rye whiskeys.

How does Not A King Rye compare to Bulleit Rye? Bulleit Rye uses a 95% rye mashbill, making it sharply grain-forward and dry, while Not A King's 60% rye and 35% corn mashbill produces a noticeably sweeter, creamier whiskey. Not A King is also a limited annual release from a small Michigan distillery, whereas Bulleit is widely distributed year-round.

Is Not A King Rye good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 90-proof strength and rich, creamy mouthfeel make it well suited to neat sipping. Its layered sweetness and long finish reward slow, deliberate tasting.

Where is Not A King Rye made? Not A King Rye is distilled and bottled at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, a small town in the state's southwestern corner. The distillery uses water from an underground aquifer located 130 feet below its facility.

What foods pair well with Not A King Rye? Smoked pork belly or barbecue ribs complement the whiskey's caramel and maple sweetness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère cheese plays off the buttery mouthfeel. Dark chocolate with sea salt echoes the burnt sugar notes, while pecan pie mirrors the honey and toasted grain character. Charcuterie featuring cured meats and dried apricots ties into the stone fruit and spice.

What sizes does Not A King Rye come in? Not A King Rye is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Not A King Rye worth the price? Not A King positions as a premium craft rye whiskey, and its limited annual availability, all-organic mashbill, 5-star Pacult rating, and Gold Medal at the Berlin International Spirits Competition give it strong credentials within its price tier. For drinkers who value provenance and small-batch production, it represents solid value relative to other acclaimed craft ryes.

Why Not A King Rye?

Few American craft rye whiskeys carry both a 5-star Highest Recommendation from F. Paul Pacult and international gold medal recognition. The single-distillation method preserves grain character that multi-pass distillation often strips away, and the use of untreated aquifer water adds a sense of terroir specific to southwest Michigan. The all-organic mashbill with its unusually high corn proportion creates a rye that bridges the gap between spice-driven tradition and approachable sweetness. Released just once a year, Not A King rewards those who seek it out with a whiskey that genuinely earns the word limited.