As our barrel-strength offerings have gained acclaim, weve had the opportunity to further refine just what it is that has made those releases among our most coveted. While a high proof point is undeniably one element of the equation, we also believe that the oil-rich, heavy-bodied quality of our pot distillate and highly attentive blending are essential to maintaining complexity, drinkability, and nuance as the age, proof, and oak profile of a whiskey increases. After evaluating our inventory of Empire Rye in preparation for this years annual blend, the blending team determined that the bulk of our Rye inventory had matured and concentrated in ways that resembled many of our best cask-strength bourbon offerings. As so, beginning with this eighth batch of our Empire Rye our first with a three-year age statement our annual releases will be bottled at barrel strength.