Rye Whiskey

Rye whiskey can refer to either of two, different, but related, types of whiskey:

1. American rye whiskey, which must be distilled from at least 51 percent rye;
2. Canadian whisky, which is often referred to as (and often labelled as) rye whisky for historical reasons, although it may or may not actually include any rye in its production process.

Bulleit Rye

Distiller: Bulleit Distillery

Region: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Category: Rye

Bulleit Rye is a new offering from the fine folks behind Bulleit Bourbon. The bourbon already boasts a relatively high rye content, but the new Bullet Rye Whiskey is composed of 95% rye grains, a much higher concentration than the mandated 51 percent

Nose Has aromas of oak, dark fruits and mellow vanilla.

Palate Instant hit of cherry. The taste moves toward nuts, toffee and spice, plus some more fruit.

Finish It finishes dry and chewy with lasting notes of maple and oak.

George Dickel Rye Whisky

Distiller: George Dickel

Region: Tullahoma, Tennessee

Category: Rye Whisky

Distillery:

George Dickel Rye Whisky is the only rye finished in the style that made George famous. We start with the finest rye whisky available, made from 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Then we finish it the Dickel way – chilled, then charcoal mellowed.

Nose Honeyed corn cake, creamy nougat, and herbal Provence soap

Palate Silky fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a very smooth

Finish Spiced cherry, cocoa, peppercorn, and cola accented

Old Overholt Rye

Distiller: Beam Suntory

Region: Deerfield, Illinois

Category: Bourbon

Distillery:

These are the three principles by which Abraham Overholt (1784-1870) lived and made his whiskey. He’s the father of American distilling and took uncompromising pride in his product — a legacy which continues today. Old Overholt is the oldest of The Olds, a relic you can drink. This famous Straight Rye Whiskey has a distinctive flavor and appeal that, after Prohibition, made it the most popular spirit in the country. Agreeable means you get along. And Old Overholt does just that. It’s renowned for its outstanding mixability in classic cocktails like the Old Style Manhattan (look it up). The one and only Old Overholt is 80 Proof and aged 3 years.

Nose black pepper and oak resin

Palate lean, semisweet, intensely grainy, and satisfying

Finish spicy

Rittenhouse Rye

Distiller: Heaven Hill Distilleries

Region: Bardstown, Kentucky

Category: Rye

Distillery:

Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or "Monongahela" rye whiskys, Rittenhouse is a much acclaimed rye now enjoying a comeback throughout the country as today’s sophisticated American whisky consumer re-discovers classic whisky styles. Likewise, the brand is beloved by mixologists for its robust style and enjoys a renaissance as cocktails regain popularity. Available in the standard 80° bottling or in a special Bottled-In-Bond 100° expression, Rittenhouse is produced in the tradition of the classic rye whiskys that were once the preeminent American whisky style, kept alive through the lean years by Heaven Hill and two other distilleries.

Nose Intensely woody aromas and succulent marshmallow, bakery and lanolin scents spring forth.

Palate The fat palate entry oozes butter cream, dark caramel, and brown sugar tastes; the midpalate focuses more on the grain aspect as the flavor becomes toasty, fruity and honeyed.

Finish Ends honey sweet, decadent and maple-like.

WhistlePig produces a 100-proof, straight rye whiskey, aged for at least ten years through a unique double-barrel process.

WhistlePig was released in the summer of 2010 to great critical acclaim, earning 96 points from Wine Enthusiast, their highest rating ever for a rye whiskey, a “highest recommendation” from Spirits Journal, as well as accolades from The Wall Street Journal, GQ, Forbes, Maxim, Imbibe Magazine, and many others. As Master Distiller Dave Pickerell notes, these extraordinary honors both “humble and set a high bar” for the company.

WhistlePig embodies the perfect combination of proof, purity, and age — hitting “the sweet spot” in all three categories. In short: more rye, all the proof, and the perfect age. All in. Full stop.

Nose Complex and subtle scent: honey, vanilla

Palate It feels silky on the tongue and at first, the flavors reflect caramel, burnt orange and a whisper of smoke

Finish Mouth-warming wave of tannic bite sweeps over all and lingers for a good long time

The 2014 Boss Hog was been selected from among our oldest and most unique barrels – Bond 77. Bond 77 entered wood on April 5, 2001. As part of a quadruple barrel aging process, the Spirit of Mortimer spent nearly 14 years in a combination of new American oak, and early use bourbon barrels. Bottled at cask-strength, the Spirit of Mortimer represents our purest, most powerful, and most primordial expression of the world’s finest rye.

The Spirit of Mortimer is dedicated to Mortimer WhistlePig. Mortimer, our mascot, compatriot and friend, laid down his life in summer 2014 while defending the honor of Mauve WhistlePig, his beloved Kune Kune spouse.

The 2014 Boss Hog is Mortimer’s monument and memorial. Mortimer’s physical monument will be the “Spirit of Mortimer,” a finely crafted Danforth pewter topper which will sit atop each Boss Hog bottle and depict Mortimer midflight, with arms stretched to the heavens. Mortimer’s spiritual monument will be the unrivaled whiskey within the bottle. Here’s to you, Mortimer.

WhistlePig Old World Series Rye Madeira Finish

Distiller: Whistlepig

Region: Vermont

Category: Rye

We at WhistlePig believe that progress is not achieved by the complacent, it is won by the bold and tenacious. With these tenets in mind, we proudly submit the fruit of our progressive endeavors, the 12 Year Old World Marriage.

In the spring of 2014, Master Distiller Dave Pickerell began a unique experiment on the WhistlePig Farm. After studying the best techniques of the Old World – particularly Scotch whiskies – Dave and the WhistlePig team paired bonds of 12-year-old rye with premium European oak casks – Madeira, Sauternes, Port, Cognac, and Sherry. After a series of single finish releases and extensive industry feedback, the 12 Year Old World is the product of a carefully selected marriage of three finishes that highlights their distinctive flavors to create an exceptionally balanced spirit. The 2015 San Francisco Spirits Competition Double Gold award winning Old World Series unites the bold attributes of rye whiskey with the grace and elegance of the finest European casks, yielding an ultra-premium straight rye, distinctly American, but hearkening to its stately Old World roots.

The rich caramel, fruit, and pepper notes of Madeira combine with Rye’s bold, spicy attributes yielding an elegant ultra-premium straight rye, distinctly American, but hearkening to its stately Old World roots.

Nose Honeydew, salted caramel

Palate Soda bread, pistachio, honey

Finish salt water taffy, yellow birch