Review: Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey
Review: Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey
Heaven Hill loves to make rye, and based on the enormous success of Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond, people like to drink it, too.
The company is expanding its rye portfolio with Pikesville, a 6 year old straight rye bottled at a blazing 110 proof — clearly inspired by the success of Rittenhouse at 100 proof. (Pikesville has been an existing, lower-end brand for Heaven Hill, but the company says this is a new and updated expression.)
There’s no mashbill information other than that it’s made from “at least 51% rye,” with corn and barley making up the remainder, as expected. The whiskey is produced at the Bernheim distillery.
So, on to the tasting.
It’s buttery and honey-sweet on the nose at first — then a bit of bubble gum aroma, which isn’t exactly what I’m looking for in a rye. On the palate, there’s plenty of heat as you’d expect, followed by significant notes of dried hay, butterscotch, and vanilla cookie overtones.
Fairly straightforward and uncomplicated, I didn’t find a whole lot of that traditional baking spice that you expect to find in rye. Rather, the overall impression is more akin to one you’d find in a lighter style of bourbon (albeit one bottled at a significantly higher proof than usual).
Bottom line: It’s fine, but if you’re looking for a Rittenhouse replacement, keep moving along.
110 proof.
B / $50 / pikesvillerye.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey
$50
$50? It will be hard to shake the bargain of the 80 proof at $16. Then again, the 80 proof was a bit flat like Old Overholt.
There was an article in the Washington Post this Sunday about the Pikesville rye at 80 proof. It is getting a cult following at bars and if you can find it a stores.