Rittenhouse Bottled In Bond Straight Rye / 100 Proof

While Rittenhouse is actutally a rye style whiskey from Pennsylvania (Philadelphia to be precise), it is distilled at Heaven Hill, that took over the brand long ago. The mashbill is 51% rye, 37% corn and the remaining 12% malted barley. Notice the proud labelling of ‘bottled-in-bond’. This means it is a whiskey from one season, one distillery and matured for at least 4 years in a warehouse under government supervision and bottled at exactly 100 Proof (50% ABV).

I first smell the grain in the guise of brown bread, corn flakes and oatmeal. Then some fruit follows, mostly of the dried variety. Think peaches and banana. Surprisingly soft for a rye whiskey.

Hmm, this is good! Vivid palate on oranges, nougat and toffee, while the spices take their sweet time to warm your mouth. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper and cocoa: they each play their role. Again, surprisingly soft for a rye whiskey.

In the finish – which sadly is quite short – the sweet, dried fruits are best experienced.

A very pleasant surprise. More fruit than spices, so to speak. Very enjoyable neat, and quite affordable indeed (around 40 EUR).

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