Rittenhouse Rye

Review by: TOModera

As I write this, I’m in the midst of a fun, relaxed staycation, and I needed it. Thus, as part of my staycation, in addition to catching up on Far Cry 3, going to World Pride parade, and generally eating lots of tasty burgers and fresh fruit, I’m tasting a few drams.

Rittenhouse Rye is bottled in bond, which is one of those few things you can trust on a whiskey label. Without getting into too many specifics, the US government of 1897 did not fuck around when it came to American whiskey practises. This is one season, one distiller, one bottler, and one warehouse right here.

Wear it like a badge you brave mother. The mashbill is 51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12 % Barley, which is lower than what I’ve had before in Ryes. This will be interesting.

Thanks to Kilrathi for sending me this dram just in the nick of time for the community review.

Distillery: Heaven Hills.

Bottler: Distillery Bottling.

Region: Kentucky.

ABV: 50%.

Age: Unknown

Cask type: Virgin Oak

Price: $44.95 (CAD) in Ontario, Canada

Color: Red maple

Nose: Nail polish, butterscotch, pot pourri, blueberry, lemon, cashew, yeast, cinnamon

At first this is really harsh. I mean super harsh and young. However, given time, it opens up into a nice floral and fruity nose, with just a little bit of that harshness.

It’s like dating that one person who was always nice, yet liked to choke you in bed. You were up for it, it just hurt a tad.

Taste: Caramel, pepper, cassia buds (think a weaker cinnamon), plum, brine

Odd. This is weaker than I was expecting with such high alcohol content. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still nice to sip on, however… hmm, was expecting more. I’m guessing it’s a bit younger than what I’ve been drinking lately.

Finish: Dill, vinegar, white sugar, zucchini, lemon pepper, dry pear

I both enjoy and not enjoy the finish. It’s all the strong, unique parts of American whiskey.

Wait, analogy time: The finish is like American food. I love American portions and hate them. I love that I can order an amount of meat that slaughtered hundreds of cows. And enough cheese that said cows probably had teets that were squeezed dry.

Then I finish the food and feel like hell, and get angry.

Also it was a tad too dry for me.

Conclusion: Decent rye, especially for the price. It really shows a lot of good, flavours. The taste is lacking, the finish has good and bad points, and the nose is quite harsh, however I’d still order this to drink on a hazy, summer day.

Final Score: 77.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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