JT Meleck Rice Whiskey Review — 118 Proof High Proof (100% Rice)
Have you ever had whiskey made from rice? Most American whiskeys are crafted from corn, rye, barley, or wheat — but JT Meleck’s 100% rice whiskey challenges tradition with something uniquely Louisiana.
About J.T. Meleck (Fruge Spirits)
“Obsessively Authentic” – J. T. Meleck’s brand slogan
The J. T. Meleck story begins in 1896 with John Meleck, the great-great-uncle of the current generation’s ownership, planting his first rice on 20 acres of Louisiana marshland.
Five generations (and 136 years) later, the Fruge family still grows rice — and now crawfish — on that same 20 acres. Owner Mike Fruge took the legacy a step further – true farm to bottle, 100% rice spirits (vodka and whiskey) – and has quickly made a national name for J. T. Meleck and the small batch, craft rice whiskey scene.
Stats
- Age: minimum 4 years
- Proof: 118 (50% ABV)
- Mashbill: 100% Louisiana Rice
- Origin: J. T. Meleck (Branch, Lousiana)
- Release: Ongoing, Small Batch
- Batch No: 625
- MSRP: $59.99
Scores
- Nose: Maple syrup, red apple, milk chocolate.
- Palate: Melted milk chocolate carries into a a deep butterscotch and significant cinnamon spice.
- Finish: A strong wave of cinnamon and clove carries into a tannic oak finish with a full bodied vanilla and floral fruit linger.
- Presentation: A cylindrical bottle with a flared base and a label that visually nods to the harvested rice and crawfish fields of the Meleck farms. The dark blue backdrop with cream and gold accents gives it a distinctly premium feel.
The J. T. Meleck High Proof rice whiskey takes the notes of its small batch and ramps them into a bold and memorable expression. The small barrel influence carries through the finish in lingering vanilla and a vacillating floral fruit note (at times, tropical, red and even dark fruits). While some of the gentle complexity and sweetness is lost with the increased proof, the increased spice profile will satisfy high proof lovers without out-proofing those who prefer the lower proof side of whiskey. This release showcases the depth and complexity of rice whiskey like few others, offering a sweet-to-spice evolution that holds your attention for minutes.
Similar to the small batch, this drinks like a bridge between:
- A higher proof toasted bourbon
- A well-aged, higher proof American light whiskey
If comparing, this leans more towards a high rye toasted bourbon with the increased spice and deeper fruit profile while still offering a similar sweetness (and yet no rye).
Buy this if you:
- Enjoy balanced pours between sweet and spice
- Want moderate to high proof
- Like exploring unique mash bills
Skip if you:
- Prefer lower proof
- Want less spice profile
The price tag of $59.99 (Bourbon Outfitters) feels well worth it to explore not only a specialized mash bill, but a high proof flyer that balances proof and spice with sweetness while still highlighting the unique flavors of rice whiskey — just as the small batch, I’d take this over many similarly proofed and priced pours from heritage distillers (comparable proof & price: 1792 Full Proof).
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 5.75 / 7
- Palate: 5.5 / 7
- Finish: 5.8 / 7
- Presentation: 6 / 7
- Value: 5.5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 5.71 / 7 — Divine
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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