Midway Distilling Company Colonel Francisco Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels

Rum-kissed rye doesn’t usually show this much balance. Midway Distilling Company’s Colonel Francisco Rye starts as classic 95/5 MGP rye, aged four years before finishing in rum barrels at Bluegrass Distillers. It bottles at 110 proof, keeping that high-rye snap while layering in molasses richness and tropical fruit from the finishing casks.

The aroma leans sweet and bright at first. Sweet molasses, vanilla, salted caramel, and baked apple roll out of the glass, followed by raisin, brown sugar, and gentle baking spice. There’s a soft buttered-rum note in the background, giving the nose a cozy, dessert-cart feel without losing the rye’s herbal edge.

On the palate, pepper and rum trade places. Fresh rye pepper hits early, then fades into brown sugar, caramel, apple slices, ripe banana, and a clear ribbon of rum sweetness. Raisin, light oak, and barrel char build mid-palate, nudging the sweetness toward something darker, slightly toasty, and more grown-up.

The finish shows both spirits at once. Sweet rum notes linger first, then give way to rye spice, baking spice, oak, and a light savory echo that keeps your palate curious.

Heat runs moderate for the proof, more of a steady, warming glide than a sharp snap.