Finished Rye Whiskeys.

Colonel Francisco : Finished in Rum Barrels

In 1835, Colonel John Francisco sold his 216-acre farm to the Lexington and Ohio Railroad, making the foundation of Midway possible. Around the same time, American whiskey rose in popularity, as rum was highly taxed and tariffed. Our Colonel Francisco Rum Finish blends the two spirits while paying homage to the man who made Midway possible.

  • Our Rum barrel finished Rye Whiskey, is secondary aged in Caribbean Rum barrels.

  • Aroma: sweet molasses, vanilla, salted caramel, apple

    Taste: pepper spice that fades into notes of apple, banana, and molasses

    Finish: sweet notes of rum give way to a light and savory finish

Reclaimed & Recharred : Finished in Recharred Oak

Rather than retiring a used barrel, we have them re-coopered and fired. We then refill these mature workhorses with spirit previously aged in new barrels to impart a nuanced secondary finish.

  • Rather than retiring a used barrel, we have them re-coopered and fired. We then refill these mature workhorses with spirit previously aged in new barrels to impart a nuanced secondary finish.

  • Aroma: campfire, pine, caramel apple

    Taste: marzipan, pear, spiced oak, browned butter, burnt marshmallow

Dudley & Gratz : Finished in Sauternes Barrels

The Northeast corner of Dudley and Gratz St in Midway, KY was the original site of Midway Distilling Co. We have chosen to combine techniques from the whiskey and wine industries to create an exciting new marriage with the introduction of a rye finished in a classic French Sauternes barrel. The added sweetness of the dessert wine barrel finish elevates this rye whiskey to new heights. 

  • Sauternes is a sweet full-bodied wine originating from a small village south of Bordeaux.

    Made from sémillon, sauvignon blanc, and muscadelle grapes that have been affected by Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot.

    This causes the grapes to become partially raisined, resulting in concentrated and distinctively flavored wines.

  • Aroma: baking chocolate, cedar, honeysuckle, fresh grapes

    Taste: sherry, honey, cinnamon, pineapple

    Finish: long and earthy with Caramello bar notes

Lee’s Branch : Finished in Toasted French Oak

Lee’s Branch, an off-shoot of the Elkhorn River, was the original water source for Midway’s first distilleries and named after surveyor Willis Lee. Mingling tradition and innovation, we finish rye whiskey in toasted French Oak barrels to impart spicy, peppery notes for a new finish on an old favorite. 

  • We use ex-red wine barrels made of French oak. The inside is shaved and deconstructed to ensure no wine remains in the oak, resulting in a 100% neutral barrel.

    Lightly toasted to give depth to the spirit. Due to the tighter grain of this oak this finishing barrel imparts spicy and peppery notes.

  • Aroma: floral (magnolia, gardenia), plum skin, orange zest

    Taste: cherry wood, fennel, oversteeped Earl Grey tea, smoke

    Finish: medium finish, pepper, finished with dandelion root

Midway Lot 25 : Finished in Vermouth Barrels

Midway Lot 25, located on the northeast corner of West Railroad and Turner Street, was the original “distillery district” of Midway from 1865 and 1877. This time period also marked the rise of American whiskey cocktails, many of which were made with vermouth. Our bold Lot 25 rye achieves a refined finish and subtle warmth from several months in a repurposed vermouth barrel.

  • The Vermouth comes from Bodega Martinez Lacuesta. The winery is one of the centennial wineries of La Rioja. The land is located in Haro (Rioja Alta), on the right bank of the Ebro River. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 400-500cm, above sea level. Lacuesta Vermouth ages in French Oak barrels that make it unique and differentiate from other Vermouths.

  • Aroma: brown sugar, honeysuckle, cherry jam

    Taste: cinnamon, brown sugar, black cherry, black spice

    Finish: Light and crisp with herbal notes of citron and marjoram