Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Pure Rye Whiskey
Single Barrel Cask Strength
53.5% ABV
$70
Website
We would like to thank Stoll & Wolfe Distillery and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
Stoll & Wolfe recently released one of its most intriguing expressions to date: a single barrel Pure Rye Rye Whiskey that acts as the distillery’s unique interpretation of the historic Monongahela style. Crafted from a 100% rye mash bill of 80% Rosen rye and 20% malted rye, this whiskey is truly a must have offering for a number of reasons.
The all rye mash bill, rooted in historic, pre-Prohibition rye traditions, draws its locally grown Rosen rye from the Kline Family Farm, a 1741 heritage farm sharing direct family ties with the distillery team. Made through a sweet mash fermentation process, the art of crafting Pure Rye calls upon carefully considered production methods emphasizing spice, structure and grain character.
“Our Single Barrel Pure Rye is our homage to the historic Monongahela style,” said Erik Wolfe, co-founder and distiller at Stoll & Wolfe, “reflecting the methods and spirit of Pennsylvania rye, with a focus on bold spice, balance, and a distinctly regional character.”
Aged for approximately 34 months in a new, charred American oak barrel built from the finest in air-dried staves, this single barrel whiskey is bottled at a cask strength 107 proof. It showcases bold rye spice balanced by dark fruit on the nose, leading to a palate rich in black cherry, cocoa, marzipan and baking spices. The finish is dry and very well structured.
Priced at $70 per 750 ml bottle, the Stoll & Wolfe Pure Rye Whiskey is available now from the Stoll & Wolfe website, or available for pickup in the distillery’s tasting room. Future releases of this whiskey will be made available down the line when the distillery team feels they are ready to bottle.
What Gary Says
Nose: Figs, grilled peaches, mint, vanilla, a hint of tarragon and cloves.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with figs, cherries, dark chocolate, pepper, cinnamon, mint, cloves, honey and vanilla.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with baking spices and cocoa.
Comments: I’ve long been a fan of 100% rye mashbills (and not a ton of them out there), but this is rather unique with 20% malted rye (not to mention the sweet mash; again – not a lot of that out in the market!) This is fruity, but not with the citrus lean that you often associate with rye. Only 34 months old, I enjoyed each sip and hope that they’re keeping some back to mature further. If you’re a rye fan, and looking for a unique pour – would recommend seeking a chance to try this!