Proof & Precedent Review: 11-Year Illinois Rye at 121.6 Proof | Five Minute Fridays

<p>Is rye whiskey having a moment? Jake Lewellen reviews Proof &amp; Precedent, a brand-new 11-year-old straight rye whiskey from Illinois bottled at 121.6 proof (60.8% ABV). It's a small batch blend of Illinois ryes, created with Brian Harris of Sipping Corn, Matt Cusack, and Marcus Neiman.</p><p>In this Five Minute Fridays tasting, Jake covers:<br />🥃 Why rye is surging, with Angel's Envy's Peach Brandy Cask finished rye, Silverthorn's 13-year, Dark Arts' 15-year, and Joseph Magnus' batched rye<br />🥃 Nose: apricot, peach, brûléed sugar, candied orange, honeysuckle, and a "hot toddy" aroma<br />🥃 Palate: fruit cocktail syrup, star anise, warm baking spices, and heavy oak on the finish<br />🥃 Why this high-rye rye drinks with the complexity of a high-rye bourbon, which makes it a good pick for bourbon drinkers who find rye too spicy<br />🥃 Jake's verdict: one of the top rye whiskeys he's had in 2026</p><p>⏱️ Chapters<br />0:00 Intro: a new Illinois rye from Proof &amp; Precedent<br />0:42 Why this release matters<br />1:10 Rye whiskey is having a moment<br />2:02 Nose: apricot, peach &amp; candied orange<br />2:53 First sip: 121.6 proof<br />4:13 Verdict: rye for bourbon drinkers<br />5:15 Final thoughts &amp; rating</p><p>Have you tried Proof &amp; Precedent? Tell us in the comments!</p><p>🔔 Subscribe for more weekly discussions, tastings, and bourbon insights from the Bourbon Lens community.<br />📸 Follow on Instagram: <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCqqiSeI2OHr7k0nVDHNpoWQ" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@bourbonlens</a><br />🌐 Visit: <a href="https://www.bourbonlens.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">www.bourbonlens.com</a><br />Merch: <a href="https://bourbon-lens-shop.printify.me/products" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://bourbon-lens-shop.printify.me/products</a><br />Discord: <a href="https://discord.gg/pd6ys5nRSU" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://discord.gg/pd6ys5nRSU</a></p>Hashtags<p>#ProofAndPrecedent #RyeWhiskey #IllinoisWhiskey #WhiskeyReview #BourbonLens #FiveMinuteFridays #StraightRye #BarrelProof #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonCommunity</p>Keywords<p>Proof and Precedent, Proof &amp; Precedent review, Proof and Precedent rye whiskey, Illinois rye whiskey, 11 year old rye whiskey, 121.6 proof whiskey, straight rye whiskey, high proof rye, small batch rye, rye whiskey review, new whiskey release 2026, best rye whiskey 2026, rye whiskey tasting notes, Sipping Corn, Brian Harris, Matt Cusack, Marcus N