Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey is produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., a family-owned company headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky. The distillery itself, called the Heaven Hill Bernheim distillery, is located in Louisville, Kentucky.

The nose starts with intense flavours of vanilla and, to a lesser degree, caramel. Once you get past these notes there are tobacco and leather, followed by cherries and a touch of mint. Soft wood spice hovers in the background.

The palate is big, bold and buttery, and brings back the vanilla and caramel flavours, this time followed by ginger and cinnamon. Later on there are notes of coffee and raisins, followed by a good amount of spiciness, all in perfect balance.

The finish is long, warming, and spicy. Liquorice and coffee notes linger until the very end.

This is an excellent rye whiskey, with a mighty palate and great balance. I am not (yet) familiar with the 40% ABV expression but dare say that the 100 proof do this whiskey a lot of good in giving it the body it needs. The mint on the nose was somewhat disturbing at the beginning however I got to appreciate it over time. As yet I have not tried too many rye whiskies but this one currently is my favourite expression.

Find where to buy Rittenhouse whisky