Pikesville Rye Review
Color: Rust
Nose: The nose hits you with a sugary mint with a touch of rye spice. The spice is balanced with strong vanilla notes that round out some of the spicy edges. The longer it sits in the glass the more the spice comes through. Take too deep of a sniff and the ethanol can hit you like a ton of bricks, but even a small sniff will remind you that at 110 proof, this is not a whiskey that should be taken lightly!
Palate: Oily, mouth-coating goodness. First sip highlights the spice, mint and wood. As you continue to drink, the sugar and sweetness rises to the forefront. Toffee, caramel, with baking spices. The alcohol makes itself known, but it isn’t obtrusive – instead only adding to the rich flavor and mouthfeel. A splash of water mutes some of the sharper edges on this 110 proof rye, and makes it much more similar to its younger sibling Rittenhouse Rye.
In-Depth Review:
Rye has been new life in the whiskey boom of the last decade. From Wild Turkey introducing Cornerstone Rye into its Master’s Keep collection, to the Whistlepig Boss Hog collection, rye whiskey has taken a commanding seat in the premium whiskey category. But one doesn’t need to have a big budget to get some great high proof, big flavor ryes on their home bar. Heaven Hill’s Rittenhouse and Pikesville rye lines promise big flavor with small (ish) price tags. But is this barely legal rye whisky worth the plunge?
Age: 6+ years
ABV: 55%
Cask: Charred Virgin Oak Casks
MSRP: $50
Distillery Name: Heaven Hill
Review Date: 11/14/20
Finish: Long finish that brings a spicy warming sensation to the chest. Earthy flavors arise on the finish a traditional rye hallmark. After more sips, Pikesville leaves you with a slow chest burn and lingering mint and sugar in the mouth.
Final Thoughts: Pikesville does a great job of bridging the gap between bourbon and rye. While other ryes (especially 95% ryes) can be quite herbal with overpowering amounts of spice, the high corn mashbill here gives a good balance of spicy and sweet that will appeal to a wide range of drinkers. A wonderful whisky, and my current favorite rye, Pikesville is a great
This works fantastic in a cocktail with a body and profile that can hold up well with other ingredients, but at an MSRP of $50, I would rather reach for Rittenhouse when making my old fashioned.
