Rye

Phildelmar


Any other rye drinkers out there? Itwas once much more popular, and conjures up cinema images, like Humphrey Bogart offering it to dorothy malone in The Big Sleep, or Robert taylor drinking rye and water in Valley Of The kings. Have you tried Pikesville? Mostly available in the Maryland area,interesting taste and good value

Pikesville is my regular rye, and I always have a bottle in my stockpile.
 
While still a pretty good value at $14 or so, It was an excellent value a few years ago when it could often be had for $7.99 a bottle.  Not sure if it's just inflation, or the word got out and popularity soared.  Maybe a bit of both. 

I bought a jug of Jim Beams rye yesterday for about $18.00.  I read the reviews and before I cracked the seal, I took it back to my retailer and swapped it for a jug of Bulleit.  I have not tried it but it got much better reviews. it is 95% rye and 5% barley.
 
I have always bought some type of Canadian which contains a small amount of rye so I thought I would try something much better.  It was somewhat pricier at about $27.00.  I will let you know later on when the occasion arises to sample.
http://www.bulleitbourbon.com/Legend.aspx
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Have tried their bourbon. The rye does not seem to be available in my area

I cracked the Bulleit last evening and poured a small dram.  I wish I was a connoisseur of these types of drinks but I am not  I took a small taste and it sorta reminded me of a nice brandy.  It certainly tasted better than any Canadian I had tried before.  Very strange because it had all sorts of taste.  Some strong and some mild.  I had neveer had a true rye before so I had nothing to compare it against.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Will try to get hold of a bottle to make comparisons. rye is certainly more complex than Canadian, and most Bourbons as well

Phildelmar


Will try to get hold of a bottle to make comparisons. rye is certainly more complex than Canadian, and most Bourbons as well

 
It sounds like you know much more about rye than me.   I will be interested in your thoughts.  I may have another small taste tonight along with a nice cigar that I bought in Panama.  It is a nice fat Cuban.  I will have to have it out on the deck as I do not wish to perfume my house with the smoke.  it may be a bit cool out on the deck but the full moon reflecting on the Tennessee River makes a nice presentation.
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I recently have sorta taken a liking to good spirits and for some reason rye struck me as a liquor I might enjoy.  I found that good rye was difficult to obtain.  The attached article might explain why.
 
 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/04/travel/04iht-rye.3767486.html
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sundancer, you paint the most beautiful pictures - must be nice to have such a great view from your deck! I just checked my bottle of Jim Beam Rye and decided a drink would be appropriate. I'll skip the cigar though! I seem to remember that the Manhattans I loved when going out to dinner in the 60's were made with rye. Don't taste the same any more. Think I'll try to make one with my rye when I get some fresh bitters. Does anyone know how long bitters keep in the fridge? Mine must be at least 15 years old.

My understanding is that the decline in rye production was a consequence of prohibition. With the major distilleries closed, other, imported, spirits captured market share. Smuggled scotch, rum and Canadian  changed the nation's tastes. When it ended, there were no blending stocks to draw on, and then, the onset of the war caused a re-alignment in distilling resources for war purposes. The only survivor was Old Overholt, along with some cheaper varieties, mostly in the Maryland region. Pikesville was the best of the lot, with Philadelphia and the old version of Rittenhouse being strictly for mixing. That being said, I was not disparaging mixing. In fact, I find that any cocktail mixed with bourbon tastes  better with rye. But, that's a matter of personal taste.

Phildelmar


Anybody tried the new Rittenhouse bottling? It's much better than the previous version

I went shopping for my occasional bottle of bourbon in prep for a spring Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour but came across this bottle of Rittenhouse straight Rye. It was the only bottle of rye on the shelf so I bought it. Well, that and the fact that I remembered this thread.

Davydd:  let us know how you rated the rye that you bought.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Interested in getting your take on it

Rye to me is another good sipping whiskey but I rate it less interesting than a single malt or bourbon. In fact at the same time I bought that bottle of rye I bought this interesting bottle of Willett's Straight Kentucky Bourbon, bottle 214 of 272. The proprietor of Excelsior Vintage said he had the only bottles in Minnesota. It's pretty good but no where could I find how long it was aged.

Rye has  a spicy, peppey quality that I find unique.