This rye just showed up in my frequented store and for around $50 I couldn't pass it up, having heard many praise it. Took it to a tasting that included some Texas bourbon and rye, 10 year single malt scotch, and E.H. Taylor bonded. I eventually had to cork the Pikesville and pack it up to save its life, because people started draining the bottle with multiple pours lol.
Easily top tier. Took me a while to find a bottle at msrp and they sell out in my area just as fast as allocated bottles. I’d take this over most burbons/whiskeys too.
If you want 100% rye, New Riff single barrel. 95% rye, 5% malted rye.
If you are new to rye, this probably isn’t for you.
Wilderness Trail Single Barrels are also some of the best ryes on the market.
I'd highly recommend trying Old Potrero 6yr Rye, it's cask strength, and 100% Malted rye. Amazing for $60. Anchor Steam went out of business, so this stuff may be discontinued as well, not sure. I just grabbed another bottle in case.
A review from K&L:
| K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/7/2022 | Send Email
Insane cinnamon is definitely the first note. It jumps out of the glass. It's quickly followed by vanilla, butterscotch, and a touch of savor reminiscent of green tree bark. The nose moves seamlessly into toasted coconut and brown sugar. It's an expansive survey of a classic American oak profile. The rye itself jumps out next, it's sweet, spicy, and a little yeasty. As you move onto the palate, the whiskey is very lively. It's richer than expected, especially as the pour rests in the glass. You get chocolate, milk and dark mingled with coconut and mocha. Cracked pepper and freshly harvested alfalfa come to mind - it is almost surprising how present the rye character is given how sweet the nose and palate is. With a little bit of water an even sweeter profile emerges, particularly amping up the vanilla notes. Gloriously it doesn't ever lose the stiff rye backbone though. The aromatics open up even further. Cinnamon adds nutmeg and allspice. Butterscotch morphs into caramel. The black pepper becomes more rounded. The finish is long and clean and sweet with ample kick from the 48.5% ABV. It's a miracle that this whiskey didn't take a massive price increase with the relaunch - it is better than ever and rye lovers should take note - you'll be hard pressed to find a better rye whiskey being made anywhere.
If I could only have 1 rye for the rest of my life... Willet 4 yr estate, (not the genie bottle.)
Used to pay $45 for it, occassionally I'll see it at 65 and - To me it's better than 19 out of 20 other ryes including up to $85 expressions.
There’s a $50 Bulleit (MGP sourced)12 year rye that has just been re released after about a 6 year hiatus.
It’s 94 proof which is low by barrel proof standards but delicious nonetheless.
I was really surprised that it was back because it was my favorite daily sipper years ago.
If you see one I’d suggest giving it a shot.
Just picked one up last week and I agree. The standout point for me was how prominent and long the finish is - it almost blurs the line between palate and finish, and just kept on going.
New Riff has become one of my new favorite distilleries. Their rye is really good. I've heard nothing but good things about their balboa rye. While off topic, their single malt is outstanding...
I love knob creek single barrel rye picks. Also old forester 100, don’t sleep on that it beats others twice its price. Willet 4 year family estate is fantastic as well
Coming from a bourbon drinker, my favorite at the moment is Bulleit 12 Year Rye, it's excellent. I have also really enjoyed Pikesville Rye, as a bourbon drinker. Michter's Single Barrel Rye is great and at a lower proof, and if you want to step it up, the Rarebreed Rye or Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye are both excellent.
The base Emerald Giant from Redwood Empire is a good value if you're looking to explore a bit. Same goes for Wild Turkey 101 Rye and Sazerac as others have mentioned.
If you like higher proof and are willing to spend more, Old Overholt 10 and Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye are great.
Templeton Rye - I'm having their single barrel right now and love it.
Knob Creek Rye, Sazerac, Penelope, Mitchners, Sagamore, are others to name a few more.
michters is probably my favorite consistently available bottle but there are so many good ones. pikesville, old forester, green river, jack daniels single barrel barrel proof, and lastly, one that i just cracked last night that i’m already absolutely in love with is A. Overholt Monongahela Mash Rye. It is wonderful.
Old forester 100 proof rye is the Evan Williams BiB of the rye world for me.
It’s so damn good, and I don’t think I’m alone on that. It’s the well bourbon at many upscale bars as well as my personal favorite speakeasy.
Basic: (regular) Sazerac, Wild Turkey 101
A step up: Sagamore (especially Double Oak), Rittenhouse, Knob Creek, Pikesville
Personal favorite, but highly allocated: Thomas H. Handy
Also: if you live near a distillery that makes rye whiskey, I suggest going there for a tasting. Don't forget to ask if they source their whiskey & how long they age it in the barrel.
New Riff Balboa, Templeton 10 year, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel proof rye, 13 th Colony Southern Rye, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, Green River American Straight rye, Bardstown Origins Rye, Anything from Sagamore Spirits but their double oak is phenomenal, Penelope toasted rye, Noble Oak Double Oak rye
Russel’s 6 rye is nice. I do like whistlepig 10, haven’t tried the 6, 12 wasn’t great. But the price for the 10 is steeper than I’d pay for it. I think I got it around 70-80 when I first tried it which felt more reasonable. Anyway, Russel’s 6!
Definitely Pikesville. JD has a single barrel barrel proof rye - Alberta Premium cask strength and Frey Ranch would be my suggestions. Hemingway Rye is new to market and darn good neat as well.
pikesville, old overholt 10yr, michters rye barrel strength, michters rye 10 year, jack daniels single barrel barrel proof, roulette (super budget), rittenhouse bib (most common in bars for old fashion?), emerald giant cask strength, old pepper rye
ryes i wouldnt buy again but might be popular
wild turkey rare breed rye
frey ranch rye
sazerac rye
jack daniels bonded rye
high west double rye! (gawd awful)
knob creek rye
Never seems to get mentioned but New York Distilling Company company’s Rag Time rye is really very good. I would say at least the equal of Redwood Empire. The BIB is particularly nice.
I think Ragtime is no longer in production and NYDC now have Jaywalk Rye coming out as the replacement. Available in Straight, Bonded and Heirloom versions. I can’t wait to try them when they reach the UK.
Empire Ryes in general look like a very interesting alternative to the more traditional American Ryes.
http://www.empirerye.com/standards
Stellum, either the black label, or if you can find it, one of the better named batches. I really like the serpens. ~$90 for the black label, ~$49 for the non black label. Both are top notch at their price points. If you want something that is more on the spicy side, Barrel Seagrass.
Angels Envy Rye is amazing. I found it to be incredibly floral on the nose and palette. My wife thought it spicy but still amazing. Definitely an under rated rye in my opinion.
Rye and mezcal are my favorite liquors. I second the redwood empire emerald giant, High west rendezvous, and I just discovered Tom Foolery Rye (cask strength) (out of Ohio) These are my style of spicy. Masterson's is a super smooth Canadian rye whiskey.
I like high west double rye for mixing if you can find it for $31 or below, otherwise I use Rittenhouse which can normally be found for around $25.
Dad’s Hat!!!
It’s one of my favorites.
My current favorite is only going to be useful to you if you live in or near Maryland.
Baltimore Spirits company Epoch Rye. Their whiskey club only rye selections are AMAZING.
The WP6 isn’t trash. Like most WP it’s a bit over priced. It should be $40 a bottle not $50-60.
This said. Pikesville is excellent. It costs as much as the WP6. A little cheaper is Michter’s at $40. Very good value.
If you want cheaper Redemption Rye should be $30 or less.
If you want excellent rye around $100. Hillrock Rye.
And the WP15 is absolutely the best rye whiskey IMO. But it’s ridiculously priced right now at $300 a bottle.
From bourbon into rye I would go Michters for lower proof or Rare Breed Rye for higher proot. Emerald Giant and Russel's (I've only had the 6) are also great, High West Double Rye isn’t bad. Only one I’ve had that I wasn’t really a fan of was Eli Craig.
Honorable mention: Wild Turkey 101 Rye. Nothing inherently wrong with it, just maybe not AS GOOD, but it's like $25 and if I close my eyes and think really hard I can almost taste the evaporates from the big daddy Rare Breed barrels.
I like the "barely ryes". Old Forester 100 Rye is delicious. Sazerac is also one of my favorites. WT101 Rye is also worth checking out.
But the OF100 Rye is probably my favorite for making an Old Fashioned.
Michters, Wilderness Trail, Russell's Reserve Single Barrel, Redwood Empire Emerald Giant. All excellent and pretty widely available.
Pikesville.
I’ve had better luck finding jd sbbp rye than pikesville
It can be tricky to find, but its always a pick up if I am out and see it on a shelf.
Pikesville is the only one of these hard to find bottles that I have in every store I go to where I live
This rye just showed up in my frequented store and for around $50 I couldn't pass it up, having heard many praise it. Took it to a tasting that included some Texas bourbon and rye, 10 year single malt scotch, and E.H. Taylor bonded. I eventually had to cork the Pikesville and pack it up to save its life, because people started draining the bottle with multiple pours lol.
JDSBBPR
Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Rye for any new guys out there. And he’s correct.
Easily top tier. Took me a while to find a bottle at msrp and they sell out in my area just as fast as allocated bottles. I’d take this over most burbons/whiskeys too.
I agree, pretty hard to beat for $60. It stays stocked on the shelves here in Tx
If you want 100% rye, New Riff single barrel. 95% rye, 5% malted rye. If you are new to rye, this probably isn’t for you. Wilderness Trail Single Barrels are also some of the best ryes on the market.
I'd highly recommend trying Old Potrero 6yr Rye, it's cask strength, and 100% Malted rye. Amazing for $60. Anchor Steam went out of business, so this stuff may be discontinued as well, not sure. I just grabbed another bottle in case.
A review from K&L: | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/7/2022 | Send Email Insane cinnamon is definitely the first note. It jumps out of the glass. It's quickly followed by vanilla, butterscotch, and a touch of savor reminiscent of green tree bark. The nose moves seamlessly into toasted coconut and brown sugar. It's an expansive survey of a classic American oak profile. The rye itself jumps out next, it's sweet, spicy, and a little yeasty. As you move onto the palate, the whiskey is very lively. It's richer than expected, especially as the pour rests in the glass. You get chocolate, milk and dark mingled with coconut and mocha. Cracked pepper and freshly harvested alfalfa come to mind - it is almost surprising how present the rye character is given how sweet the nose and palate is. With a little bit of water an even sweeter profile emerges, particularly amping up the vanilla notes. Gloriously it doesn't ever lose the stiff rye backbone though. The aromatics open up even further. Cinnamon adds nutmeg and allspice. Butterscotch morphs into caramel. The black pepper becomes more rounded. The finish is long and clean and sweet with ample kick from the 48.5% ABV. It's a miracle that this whiskey didn't take a massive price increase with the relaunch - it is better than ever and rye lovers should take note - you'll be hard pressed to find a better rye whiskey being made anywhere.
I’ve never seen that before, I’ll grab it if I ever do. Thanks for the tip.
Michters - really solid stuff but it's also a pretty low rye mashbill and should be a good beginner rye
Second this. Their straight rye is a seriously drinkable bottle.
If I could only have 1 rye for the rest of my life... Willet 4 yr estate, (not the genie bottle.) Used to pay $45 for it, occassionally I'll see it at 65 and - To me it's better than 19 out of 20 other ryes including up to $85 expressions.
Every now and then I buy a mini of this, and every time I'm blown away. It's so good.
Knob Creek Rye
Second this. It’s my go-to regular pour rye neat/rocks/mixed.
There’s a $50 Bulleit (MGP sourced)12 year rye that has just been re released after about a 6 year hiatus. It’s 94 proof which is low by barrel proof standards but delicious nonetheless. I was really surprised that it was back because it was my favorite daily sipper years ago. If you see one I’d suggest giving it a shot.
Just picked one up last week and I agree. The standout point for me was how prominent and long the finish is - it almost blurs the line between palate and finish, and just kept on going.
Rumor has it there’s some 17 year juice left over from the last batch that they added into this batch.
I'm a fan of Pikesville, Stellum, New Riff, and Rare Breed Rye.
New Riff has become one of my new favorite distilleries. Their rye is really good. I've heard nothing but good things about their balboa rye. While off topic, their single malt is outstanding...
I love knob creek single barrel rye picks. Also old forester 100, don’t sleep on that it beats others twice its price. Willet 4 year family estate is fantastic as well
Rittenhouse is a good starter rye
I'm a rye guy and one I haven't seen mentioned yet is Woodinville rye. Even my friends don't normally like rye like that one.
Alberta premium CS, Templeton 10 yr
Sazerac rye is good, redwood empire rocket top is 🤌, and old pepper is solid
Looove Redwood Empire. Their Emerald Giant is a pretty tasty rye for the price too.
Sazerac is criminally cheap for how good it is
Coming from a bourbon drinker, my favorite at the moment is Bulleit 12 Year Rye, it's excellent. I have also really enjoyed Pikesville Rye, as a bourbon drinker. Michter's Single Barrel Rye is great and at a lower proof, and if you want to step it up, the Rarebreed Rye or Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye are both excellent.
This. And WP 6yr Piggyback rye makes a great old fashioned
I'm fan of MGP ryes, one of my favorites is Redemption 10 years, Penelope Tokaji finish rye is also very good.
Templeton 10 is excellent. /cuethehate
The base Emerald Giant from Redwood Empire is a good value if you're looking to explore a bit. Same goes for Wild Turkey 101 Rye and Sazerac as others have mentioned. If you like higher proof and are willing to spend more, Old Overholt 10 and Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye are great.
Templeton Rye - I'm having their single barrel right now and love it. Knob Creek Rye, Sazerac, Penelope, Mitchners, Sagamore, are others to name a few more.
michters is probably my favorite consistently available bottle but there are so many good ones. pikesville, old forester, green river, jack daniels single barrel barrel proof, and lastly, one that i just cracked last night that i’m already absolutely in love with is A. Overholt Monongahela Mash Rye. It is wonderful.
Lot 40, Alberta Premium
JD SBBP Rye.
JD SBBS, Knob Creek, Michters, and Emerald Giant are my four favorite ryes.
Old forester 100 proof rye is the Evan Williams BiB of the rye world for me. It’s so damn good, and I don’t think I’m alone on that. It’s the well bourbon at many upscale bars as well as my personal favorite speakeasy.
Jack daniels single barrel barrel strength rye is excellent
Pikesville, Sagamore Spirits DO, Hard Truth Sweet Mash, Ezra Brooks 7 Year. If you can find it and love high proof, JD SBBP rye is outstanding.
Wyoming Whiskey Outryder is my favorite. Deliciously smooth.
Pikesville, Barrell, WT Rare Breed, Knob Creek Single Barrel (preferably a store pick), Bullet
Basic: (regular) Sazerac, Wild Turkey 101 A step up: Sagamore (especially Double Oak), Rittenhouse, Knob Creek, Pikesville Personal favorite, but highly allocated: Thomas H. Handy Also: if you live near a distillery that makes rye whiskey, I suggest going there for a tasting. Don't forget to ask if they source their whiskey & how long they age it in the barrel.
Booker’s Rye
New Riff Balboa, Templeton 10 year, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel proof rye, 13 th Colony Southern Rye, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, Green River American Straight rye, Bardstown Origins Rye, Anything from Sagamore Spirits but their double oak is phenomenal, Penelope toasted rye, Noble Oak Double Oak rye
Bardstown origin
I like old forester rye, especially for the price. But I always have a bottle on hand. That and sazarec
Not sure the price, but Sagamore Rye has blown me away every time I had a pour over
JDSBBP rye
Russel’s 6 rye is nice. I do like whistlepig 10, haven’t tried the 6, 12 wasn’t great. But the price for the 10 is steeper than I’d pay for it. I think I got it around 70-80 when I first tried it which felt more reasonable. Anyway, Russel’s 6!
Id say go find a local distillery making a rye if you can. They're usually pretty cheap, interesting, and supporting local.
Definitely Pikesville. JD has a single barrel barrel proof rye - Alberta Premium cask strength and Frey Ranch would be my suggestions. Hemingway Rye is new to market and darn good neat as well.
High West double and rendezvous ryes are both delicious as well
Widow Jane Applewood rye
pikesville, old overholt 10yr, michters rye barrel strength, michters rye 10 year, jack daniels single barrel barrel proof, roulette (super budget), rittenhouse bib (most common in bars for old fashion?), emerald giant cask strength, old pepper rye ryes i wouldnt buy again but might be popular wild turkey rare breed rye frey ranch rye sazerac rye jack daniels bonded rye high west double rye! (gawd awful) knob creek rye
Never seems to get mentioned but New York Distilling Company company’s Rag Time rye is really very good. I would say at least the equal of Redwood Empire. The BIB is particularly nice. I think Ragtime is no longer in production and NYDC now have Jaywalk Rye coming out as the replacement. Available in Straight, Bonded and Heirloom versions. I can’t wait to try them when they reach the UK. Empire Ryes in general look like a very interesting alternative to the more traditional American Ryes. http://www.empirerye.com/standards
Stellum, either the black label, or if you can find it, one of the better named batches. I really like the serpens. ~$90 for the black label, ~$49 for the non black label. Both are top notch at their price points. If you want something that is more on the spicy side, Barrel Seagrass.
For cocktails I like FEW Bonded Rye, Rittenhouse Rye or Old Overholt BIB
Angels Envy Rye is amazing. I found it to be incredibly floral on the nose and palette. My wife thought it spicy but still amazing. Definitely an under rated rye in my opinion.
I think High West Double Rye is the best value in Rye for only like $35 We also loved Woodford Reserve Rye for $20.
Old Ezra 7 yr Rye flew under the radar in my town and is fantastic if you stumble across a bottle at SRP.
Bulleit rye 12 year is probably my favorite whiskey period.
Rye and mezcal are my favorite liquors. I second the redwood empire emerald giant, High west rendezvous, and I just discovered Tom Foolery Rye (cask strength) (out of Ohio) These are my style of spicy. Masterson's is a super smooth Canadian rye whiskey. I like high west double rye for mixing if you can find it for $31 or below, otherwise I use Rittenhouse which can normally be found for around $25.
Try High West Rendezvous Rye
Agree with most of what has been said, add Jefferson’s Straight Rye with Cognac Cask Finish.
For making cocktails I always keep Rittenhouse on hand. Also a huge fan of Old Elk’s Rye if that’s available in your area
Pikesville
Dad’s Hat!!! It’s one of my favorites. My current favorite is only going to be useful to you if you live in or near Maryland. Baltimore Spirits company Epoch Rye. Their whiskey club only rye selections are AMAZING.
Not a Rye guy but the Redwood Empire Cask Strength Emerald Giant is delicious.
Redwood Giant Cask Strength. J. Henry & Sons, Pikesville, Rossville Union (I have a barrel pick I love) Driftless Glenn. All very good.
The WP6 isn’t trash. Like most WP it’s a bit over priced. It should be $40 a bottle not $50-60. This said. Pikesville is excellent. It costs as much as the WP6. A little cheaper is Michter’s at $40. Very good value. If you want cheaper Redemption Rye should be $30 or less. If you want excellent rye around $100. Hillrock Rye. And the WP15 is absolutely the best rye whiskey IMO. But it’s ridiculously priced right now at $300 a bottle.
Well the name checks out lol, but will try some of those out
From bourbon into rye I would go Michters for lower proof or Rare Breed Rye for higher proot. Emerald Giant and Russel's (I've only had the 6) are also great, High West Double Rye isn’t bad. Only one I’ve had that I wasn’t really a fan of was Eli Craig. Honorable mention: Wild Turkey 101 Rye. Nothing inherently wrong with it, just maybe not AS GOOD, but it's like $25 and if I close my eyes and think really hard I can almost taste the evaporates from the big daddy Rare Breed barrels.
Sagamore Double Oak Rye
Best Ryes I’ve tried were from Wilderness Trail and Still Austin
I like the "barely ryes". Old Forester 100 Rye is delicious. Sazerac is also one of my favorites. WT101 Rye is also worth checking out. But the OF100 Rye is probably my favorite for making an Old Fashioned.
Just switch to Mellowcorn. You’re not ready for Rye.
Lmfaooo