Does Anyone Drink Rye Whiskey?

[jazzncocktails]

Rye List

Anyway, it got me to thinking back over the list of Ryes I have tried, and my rankings for them.

What a great list! Thanks for posting it, even if I'm slow to discover it!

 

[jazzncocktails]

Macallan

Macallan single malt Scotch seems to be the closest to my budget. Is this an acceptable brand to serve neat?

In my opinion, Macallan 12 yr. is a very good Scotch...and I recently sampled the 18 yr. with a friend, which was great.

 

[Doctor Mabuse]

For those in NY...

The wife and I just returned from vacationing in the Catskills, where we got to sample some of the finest whiskies available stateside at the Tuthilltown distillery, home to Hudson Whiskeys. They make two spectacular ryes, the "Government Warning" and the "Manhattan", in addition to a few bourbons of varying ages. Across the board, these blow the competition out of the water.
The catch, however, is the price tag: $45 (tax included) for 375 mL.
Maybe I'll buy a bottle if I win the lottery. In the meantime, I'll stick to what I can afford: Old Overholt.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

The wife and I just returned from vacationing in the Catskills, where we got to sample some of the finest whiskies available stateside at the Tuthilltown distillery, home to Hudson Whiskeys. They make two spectacular ryes, the "Government Warning" and the "Manhattan", in addition to a few bourbons of varying ages. Across the board, these blow the competition out of the water.
The catch, however, is the price tag: $45 (tax included) for 375 mL.
Maybe I'll buy a bottle if I win the lottery. In the meantime, I'll stick to what I can afford: Old Overholt.

The "Government Warning" is a splendid name for a whisky, is very strong?

I think I may have Jim Beam Rye this evening, perhaps in a Sazerac.

 

[Doctor Mabuse]

The "Government Warning" is a splendid name for a whisky, is very strong?

According to the distillery's website, it's bottled at 92 proof, but you barely notice it.

 

[guellimus]

The "Government Warning" is a splendid name for a whisky, is very strong?

I think I may have Jim Beam Rye this evening, perhaps in a Sazerac.

It's very funny that I happened to stumble onto this thread. I just finished off an old fashioned made with Jim Beam Rye with a couple of friends.

While I'm normally a scotch man, I do enjoy rye on occasion; it really mixes well.

 

[Fletch]

Jim Rye is generally not well regarded, to the point that those posting here have given it thumbs down without even describing it.

I think it may just be too smooth. Per CocktailChronicles.com: "the taste seemed muddled and low in complexity, with little of the sour spiciness that is to be anticipated in a rye." It gets lost in a manhattan, tho the drink is pleasant enough.

It's also the leading rye in volume, which can't help matters.

 

[goldendawn7]

I'm not sure if I missed anyone mentioning this, but Russles Reserve makes a great 6 year rye for about $30 a bottle.

 

[univibe88]

I'm not sure if I missed anyone mentioning this, but Russles Reserve makes a great 6 year rye for about $30 a bottle.

Have you ever compared it to the baby Saz? Similar age and price point.

 

[jamespowers]

Have you ever compared it to the baby Saz? Similar age and price point.

It is about the same if not less here. I have not compared the two though. [huh]

 

[PoohBang]

I only have one bottle of Rye right now... Wild Turkey Rye that picked up to make Manhattans with...

I never tried just sipping it straight... but I think I will tonight..

 

[RondoHatton]

Yes.

 

[jamespowers]

I only have one bottle of Rye right now... Wild Turkey Rye that picked up to make Manhattans with...

I never tried just sipping it straight... but I think I will tonight..

Tell us what you think.

 

[PoohBang]

Tell us what you think.

will do... don't expect too much though...

 

[PoohBang]

just finishing up a glass of my Wild Turkey Rye Whisky right now...

I have a full report on www.drinkinglounge.com

but the cliff notes are ouch! it's got hints of leather and butterscotch, but the 101 proof, even cut with a splash of water is overwhelming...

 

[jamespowers]

but the cliff notes are ouch! it's got hints of leather and butterscotch, but the 101 proof, even cut with a splash of water is overwhelming...

lol lol lol Ok so that's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Jim Rye is generally not well regarded, to the point that those posting here have given it thumbs down without even describing it.

I think it may just be too smooth. Per CocktailChronicles.com: "the taste seemed muddled and low in complexity, with little of the sour spiciness that is to be anticipated in a rye." It gets lost in a manhattan, tho the drink is pleasant enough.

It's also the leading rye in volume, which can't help matters.

I suppose this comes down to, what I believe, is the first rule of drinking, drink what you like.
Some people seem to like others don't, it seems that for ever type of spirit there are those connoisseurs that disregard certain brands;
Gin aficionados shun Gordon's or Bombay Sapphire,
Experts on Vodka turn their noses up at Smirnoff,
Many scotch buffs don't like Bells or, interestingly, Johnny Walker Blue Label - mostly on the claim of ridiculous overpricing.

This is probably because they've tried so many that they can make a better comparison.
Sometimes I fear, certainly with Vodka, it's snobbery. I remember someone once put there money where their mouth was with a blind taste test. The vodka they had previously been repulsed at was now their favourite. [huh]

That said I do agree that Sazerac Rye is excellent, I first tried it at a Buffolo taste tasting. Now a bottle is a standard feature of the cabinet.

 

[Levallois]

I finally found a bottle of Rittenhouse. We'll have Manhattans this evening. I'm curious about the different in taste between this, Canadian Whiskey and American Whiskey. Thanks for the recommendations!

John

 

[jamespowers]

I finally found a bottle of Rittenhouse. We'll have Manhattans this evening. I'm curious about the different in taste between this, Canadian Whiskey and American Whiskey. Thanks for the recommendations!

John

That really depends on what type of whiskey you compare. Rye is different from bourbon as Tennesee whiskey is different from Chivas Regal. Rye is however the first whiskey type made in America.
You might be surprised how different it tastes. Report back.

 

[Levallois]

Well we didn't get to the Rittenhouse Manhattans last night as planned but were able to drink some tonight. Mr Powers was correct that rye tastes different - at this very early stage, my unsophisticated palate would call it more "flavorful" than the Seagrams or Johnnie Walker that I had been comparing. Rye also tasted stronger. It may take some tweaking to find the best recipe for rye - I tend to like my Manhattans a little sweeter than most.

John