Stands Out

Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey

45% ABV
$48
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 have moved to the forefront of a crowded whiskey landscape by using recipes and methods passed down by Legendary Pennsylvania Master Distiller Dick Stoll. The distillery has been a vital part of reviving whiskey making in small-town Pennsylvania. The collection of Stoll & Wolfe spirits embodies the style and 250-year history of distilling in Lancaster County.

Both the Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey, distilled by Dick Stoll, and the Blend of American Straight Whiskeys, with casks selected and blended by Dick Stoll, have been heavily awarded. Both spirits received scores from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge indicating whiskies that are both highly recommended and excellent in quality. These two flagship bottles were each awarded a Silver Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – in the Rye Whiskey and American Whiskey categories respectively. Among the awards, both spirits finished as Chairman’s Trophy finalists in their categories with a Top 3 Finish. Stoll & Wolfe has continued to build upon the legacy of Dick Stoll and the early success of these spirits by expanding to a number of whiskey variations and other distilled offerings. Stoll & Wolfe offerings are available in both the tasting room for purchase and pickup or online for shipping nationwide. View our online shop to try one of Pennsylvania’s most authentic whiskies.

Age: 3 Years
Mash Bill: 60% Rye, 30% Corn, 10% Malt
Cask Types: Zak Cooperage 2 Year air dried staves American oak
Things to Note: Non-Chill Filtered, Sweet Mash Kline Farm Grain

Tasting Notes
Nose: Bright and grain-forward with aromas of rye spice, lemon peel, dried mint, and toasted oak. Subtle notes of cinnamon and orchard fruit peek through with time in the glass.
Palate: Focused and expressive. Classic Pennsylvania rye character comes through with black pepper, clove, and dry herbal notes, rounded out by hints of honey, toasted grain, and dried fruit.
Mouthfeel: Firm and structured with a dry edge and chewy grain texture that lingers.
Finish: Long and spice-driven with lingering notes of cracked pepper, oak, and dutch cocoa.

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright rye spice – mint, thyme, dill with some lemon zest and oak.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with honey, vanilla, cloves, tangerines, mint and pepper.
Finish: Moderately long with pepper spice followed by cloves and oak.
Comments: Rye whiskey is the only category of whiskey that I find enjoyable at under 4 years old (and not ALL rye whiskey fits that description). For a three year old rye, this punches well above it’s weight! The non-chill filtering really shines through, and the spices in this dram – I would have guessed it was more like an 80% rye (although it doesn’t have that crisp edge that a higher rye would have). This is just delightful! I would love to try this with a few more years of maturity, and a higher ABV (maybe a limited edition in the future, maybe straight, 5 year old cask strength? A guy can dream, right?)

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Blue Note Honey Rye Cask 2025 Release
Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrels

58.245% ABV
$65
Website

We would like to thank B.R. Distilling Co and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Blue Note Honey Rye Cask begins its journey by embracing the art of fusion. American oak barrels used for finishing are repurposed to produce a delicious, locally sourced, barrel-aged honey. We then return the bourbon to these honey-infused casks for another round of aging to create a distinct and harmonious profile. Blue Note’s bold and spicy notes blended with nuanced flavors of wildflower honey guarantee that with each sip, you’ll enjoy an intricate balance strength and sweetness.

Honey Rye Cask Tasting Notes
Nose: Very Light Apricot, Vanilla, All Spice, and Oak
Taste: Caramel, Hints of Apricot, Oak, Floral Finish, All Spice
Finish: Soft and Balanced, Light texture with lingering hints of Wildflower and Honey

Blue Note Honey Rye Whiskey is now available for purchase online at BlueNoteBourbon.com and in select U.S. markets. Approximately 13,000 bottles are available for the suggested retail price of $64.99.

Blue Note’s whiskey portfolio is distilled in partnership with Lofted Spirits (parent company of Green River Distilling Company) and then aged just north of downtown Memphis where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide. The long summers filled with infamous Memphis heat and cooler evenings forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth.

Technical Details
AGED: A minimum of three years
PRODUCT TYPE: Straight Rye Whiskey
MASH BILL: 95% Rye and 5% Malted Barley
PROOF & FILTRATION: 116.49 Proof, Unfiltered
Crafted in Memphis, TN

What Gary Says

Nose: Honey, caramel, mint, oak, vanilla wafers and brown sugar.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with honey, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, chocolate, apricots, apple and a bit of mint.
Finish: Moderate in length with honey, spices and a touch of oak.
Comments: Similar to the Blue Note Honey Bourbon Cask, honey is prominent here. While I enjoyed that quite a bit, I like this even better as the spiciness of the rye gives this more balance. I’ve also always found that at three years old, rye can be ready and enjoyable where bourbon needs just a bit longer. This is a really nice pour, and this replaces the Blue Note Honey Bourbon Cask as my favorite selection from Blue Note! My one critique would be the price, but as a limited edition offering that’s less of an issue.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try