Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey
46% ABV
$45 (375mL)
Website
What the Distillery Says
Pot-Distilled From Rye Grain
Stored in New Oak Less Than Four Years
Hand Crafted and Bottled By:
Tuthilltown Spirits, Gardiner, New York
Our rye whiskey is known for its spiciness; its rich and shifting flavor and aroma. The spirit’s peppery start transitions to a honey-cinnamon depth. Note the butteriness that lingers after each sip. Needless to say, this spirit makes an incredible Manhattan.
What Gary Says
Nose: Young malted rye, oak, hints of a Manhattan cocktail with a bit of cinnamon and orange zest.
Palate: Young rye, subtle cinnamon with hints of cocoa.
Finish: Short and drying with a malted rye note.
Comments: At first when I tasted this (which was from Drinks by the Dram, who listed this as “Hudson Manhattan Rye Spirit” – didn’t include the word ‘whiskey’ on their label), I thought it wasn’t just whiskey and might contain some vermouth – as it does come across very ‘Manhattan-like’. That said, I wouldn’t use this in a Manhattan as I think it would get lost, and it doesn’t bring that strong rye-character to the party. This tastes like young rye, and malted rye (reminds me more of young American single malt I’ve tried than young rye whiskey). It also does have that ‘small barrel aged’ taste – but to a lesser degree (am guessing that some is aged in smaller barrels, but probably not all). Normally I’d say that there isn’t anything objectionable, but I find the price to be just that – and hence my rating of ‘Probably Pass’ versus just ‘Average’. If I was going to walk into a store and spend $45 on a bottle of rye – this wouldn’t be it. Also, one of my pet peeves are poorly maintained web-sites. Theirs mentions to try the ‘Hudson Manhattan’ recipe listed in the recipes section on their website. Two issues here: first, there isn’t a ‘recipes’ section (but most will figure out the ‘Cocktails’ section is what they meant); second – there is no ‘Hudson Manhattan recipe! You can filter by this whiskey, and there are three cocktails – two of which are Manhattans (The Jazz Manhattan & The Perfect Manhattan).