James B. Beam Distilling announced the release of Little Book Chapter 8, a blend of several ryes – and one bourbon – ranging from 4 to 18 years old.

Titled Path Not Taken, the expression explores blending a unique range of seven rye whiskeys. Path Not Taken is bottled at 118.2 proof and has an SRP of $149.99.

In blending Little Book Chapter 8, Master Distiller Freddie Noe created a complex, redefined, and differentiated profile by blending ryes of different age, char and mash bill. It is Noe’s first concerted effort to blend an expression based on the influence and unique flavors of rye whiskey and the nuances of the rye grain primarily in the American Straight Rye styles selected, as well as its mash bill influence within high-rye bourbon.

“Knowing that rye has roots extending to the beginning of American Whiskey and holds more than two centuries of heritage, you could say, ‘it’s been done,'” Noe said in a news release. “But with this chapter, Path Not Taken, we explore the future of American Rye by blending a unique range of rye whiskies together and show you that rye still has plenty of stories left to tell.​”

He continued, “Path Not Taken” is about reimagining the variety that rye grain has to offer and  pushing the limits of what it can be. We look across America’s oldest whiskey frontier from a new vantage point and create a complex, redefined and differentiated profile by blending ryes of different age, char and mash bill.”

The rye whiskeys used in the Little Book Chapter 8 blend include:

• 18 year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (High Rye)
• 11 year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• 7 year Kentucky Straight Rye Malt Whiskey
• 5 year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (KY Family-Style, Char 4)
• 5 year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (PA Family-Style, Char 1)
• 5 year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (PA Family-Style, Char 4)
• 4 year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

For more information, visit https://www.littlebookwhiskey.com/.