Stellum Black The Lone Cypress shows exactly how far Stellum can push rye without losing the clarity and drinkability that made the brand so exciting in the first place. Named for the famous wind-sculpted tree on the Monterey Peninsula, this specialty rye release leans into the coastal imagery with a profile that is savory, delicate, and beautifully lifted. Rather than simply hammering the palate with proof and spice, The Lone Cypress offers something more nuanced: cedar, dried herbs, pine, orchard fruit, subtle salinity, honeyed richness, and the kind of rye structure that keeps everything focused. The producer’s notes call out buckwheat honey, burnt orange peel, apricot, dried rosemary, allspice, peppercorn, peach, chamomile, and apple cider donut, with a few drops of water bringing out fennel, licorice, poached pear, and cinnamon. That range tells the story well, but the real appeal is balance. This is rye with atmosphere, less brute force than architecture, more windswept coastline than cocktail workhorse. Awarded Gold at both the 2023 ASCOT Awards and the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Lone Cypress is another reminder that Stellum’s best limited releases are not gimmicks. They are thoughtful, ambitious blends from one of the country’s most compelling contemporary whiskey teams.