Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
50% ABV
$15 to $20
Widely availble in the U.S.
What the Distillery Says:
Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or Monongahela rye whiskies, Rittenhouse is a much acclaimed rye now enjoying a renaissance in the major metro markets of the country. Available in the standard 80° bottling or in a special Bottled In Bond expression, Rittenhouse is a tribute to the classic rye whiskies that were once the preeminent American whiskey style, kept alive through the many lean years by Heaven Hill and two other Kentucky distilleries.
What Richard Says:
Nose:Caramel, wood, and something meaty.
Palate:Very smooth in the mouth for a 100 proof whiskey. Much more luscious than the 80 proof expression. Spicy rye notes with a cinnamon under current stand out.
Finish:The finish is all spice but again smoother than I would’ve expected of this proof.
Comments: There are so few remaining “secret” drams out there of great whiskeys at great prices. I fear that by telling all of you about it this one will become less secret still. A great value dram that all rye and cocktail drinkers should have in their bar.
Rating:Must Buy/Best Buy
What Matt Says:
Nose: Oak, honeydew, and caramel dominate.
Palate: Slightly oily, though not as much as the 80 proof. The oak is a lot more prevalent in this expression. Bitter and resinous oak notes skip about with deeper toasted notes (some char too), There is a dry, pungent tobacco note nestled in there. Caramel, mint, anise (clove reveals itself with a little water).
Finish: Minty and numbing (even more so than the 80 proof expression).
Comments: I would like to amend my statement from our review on the standard Rittenhouse expression. It’s not that the Bottled In Bond version is better, but that it’s more versatile. Without water, you get a high test rye that tastes great. If you water to 80-90 proof, you get all the complexity of flavor we found in the standard expression. Even a small amount of water makes this puppy blossom like honeysuckle in Spring. I really cannot recommend this more highly. It’s dirt cheap and really great. I’ve been told that it’s becoming hard to find in some markets because of the rye lust that hit the country a little while back. Be patient though, after the hipsters and mixologists move on to tiki drinks or some other thing, you can stock up on this again. It’s always on my shelf. So if all else fails, have a dram with me. My wife even likes it!
Rating: Must Buy/Best Buy
Overall Rating:Must Buy/Best Buy