Ralfy, do you have any idea why rye whiskys are not produced so widely like barley or corn whiskys? Is this Rittenhouse made of malted rye or just rye? I wonder if there is any difference between malted rye spirit and grain rye spirit? Just like the difference between scotch malts and blended scotches.
I have this on order from my local liquor store. The owner was kind enough to order me a bottle. Thanks for the great reviews and knowledge Ralfy, Indispensable for us newbs.
I like the observations you made about the old west saloons and the connection with rye whiskey, thick shot glasses etc. We had John Wayne and Gunsmoke (Gunlaw in the UK) starring James Arness, it was a hugely popular TV series aired in the sixties and seventies. Magnificent videos complimented with history tales and extraordinary knowledge of the world of whiskeys. Thanks again.
My drink and label of choice. It disappeared off the shelves (usually only having 2 or 3 bottles) middle of 2010. I talked to the distributor who told me they were making it from ONE still and needed to step up production. Another guy told me the bars were buying it all up because rye was "hot". Anyway, I managed to wrangle a case from somewhere in NYC (I live in Calif.)! Much, much better than the Sazerac near the same price. The expensive Saz is pretty good.
I FINALLY saw a few bottles at my go-to store (K&L Wines in Redwood City, California) and it's the end of 2011. They even told me their stock probably wouldn't last till the new year. Of all the ryes on the market, Rittenhouse certainly seems the most popular.
@shuboy05 It's so funny to receive this reply tonight! I've had a case of this stuff on order from Idrinkny.com since September, and today I received a message that it had finally been shipped. I suspect that the problem is the same--undersupply followed by a drought. I probably should have tried to get two cases! Anyway, I'll be going through Redwood City late December. Maybe I'll give them a call.
Wonder if Wild Turkey is having the same issues since I haven't seen a bottle of their rye on the shelves in a long while? Looks like the big producers are still trying to keep up.
Straightbourbon is especially useful because a great deal of bloggers are members. Chuck Cowdery, John Hansell, and Jason Pyle (of SourMashManifesto) regularly make posts there. Some members of the industry (such as David Perkins of High West) also chime in now and then.
hey ralfy, great review as always. I dont know if you can get it, but this year you should review some Four Roses Single Barrel. Its a quite superb bourbon for little cost.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but Rittenhouse Rye along with other available ryes are composed of over 51% rye whiskey with the rest taken up by corn and malt whiskey. While Ralfy does mention one of the 100% rye whiskies, WhistlePig, there are very few of this variety on sale in the United States and most likely hard to find in other parts of the world. The reason for this is that the 100% ryes are being made by craft distillers meaning production is much smaller.
I've since learned why 100% rye whiskey is rare. When distillers make a mashbill entirely of rye, the wort tends to turn into a sticky mess. Hence why 5% (or more) of malted barley is added which has enzymes that prevent clumping. To make a 100% rye whiskey, you would need to add some external enzymes that serve the same purpose.
Aye - Rittenhouse 100 is a very good cheap rye. I think the WWA went a bit mental giving it best US whiskey, but all the same it's very good.
Personally, I prefer the standard Sazerac - I find it more fruity, elegant and I don't get the very slight bitterness from the oak I get with the Rittenhouse.
Neither of them are Van Winkle 13, the Saz 18 or Thomas Handy, but - hell - you pay through the nose for that stuff over here!
@DrClaw78 yeah same thing happened with Benchmark no.8 when IWSC keep givin it the top dog prizes - its sure good but... :/ I can imagine maybe these places have some old boy they wheel out every year to judge - his palate has 'long-gone' but has important financial interests perhaps. This is pure speculation of course..
In a way American rye whisky is like Irish Pure Pot Still. Both were styles that had fallen out of popularity but later received a revival. Why even George Washington's rye whisky made a comeback in the last decade.
I LOVE your accent.
TruthBeTold2K 1 week ago
Ralfy, do you have any idea why rye whiskys are not produced so widely like barley or corn whiskys? Is this Rittenhouse made of malted rye or just rye? I wonder if there is any difference between malted rye spirit and grain rye spirit? Just like the difference between scotch malts and blended scotches.
11lightyear 4 weeks ago
@11lightyear
not sure about the malted bit, e-mail the producers ! . . . availability is all down to perceived demand for the stuff.
ralfystuff 4 weeks ago
I have this on order from my local liquor store. The owner was kind enough to order me a bottle. Thanks for the great reviews and knowledge Ralfy, Indispensable for us newbs.
BourbonBilly 1 month ago
@BourbonBilly
You will enjoy this one for sure. I love the stuff!
MrMariusroyal 1 month ago
how cutty sark
crocman1990 1 month ago
quite and adventure whisky is, im drinking a very cheap candian whisky called potters crown. interesting taste for 7 dollars
deepwoodskentuckian 2 months ago
You should be smoking out of a pipe.
Motaesgood 2 months ago
I like the observations you made about the old west saloons and the connection with rye whiskey, thick shot glasses etc. We had John Wayne and Gunsmoke (Gunlaw in the UK) starring James Arness, it was a hugely popular TV series aired in the sixties and seventies. Magnificent videos complimented with history tales and extraordinary knowledge of the world of whiskeys. Thanks again.
ReverendBlackstone 3 months ago
My drink and label of choice. It disappeared off the shelves (usually only having 2 or 3 bottles) middle of 2010. I talked to the distributor who told me they were making it from ONE still and needed to step up production. Another guy told me the bars were buying it all up because rye was "hot". Anyway, I managed to wrangle a case from somewhere in NYC (I live in Calif.)! Much, much better than the Sazerac near the same price. The expensive Saz is pretty good.
79barkingspider 8 months ago
@79barkingspider
I FINALLY saw a few bottles at my go-to store (K&L Wines in Redwood City, California) and it's the end of 2011. They even told me their stock probably wouldn't last till the new year. Of all the ryes on the market, Rittenhouse certainly seems the most popular.
shuboy05 2 months ago
@shuboy05 It's so funny to receive this reply tonight! I've had a case of this stuff on order from Idrinkny.com since September, and today I received a message that it had finally been shipped. I suspect that the problem is the same--undersupply followed by a drought. I probably should have tried to get two cases! Anyway, I'll be going through Redwood City late December. Maybe I'll give them a call.
barkingspider403 2 months ago
@barkingspider403
Wonder if Wild Turkey is having the same issues since I haven't seen a bottle of their rye on the shelves in a long while? Looks like the big producers are still trying to keep up.
shuboy05 2 months ago
Do you use Rittenhouse as your standard to compare other ryes to like you do with Elijah Craig and bourbon?
degmar 10 months ago
@degmar
... at the moment, yes, but I suspect WhistlePig Rye will be my 'benchmark' shortly !
ralfystuff 10 months ago
Straightbourbon is especially useful because a great deal of bloggers are members. Chuck Cowdery, John Hansell, and Jason Pyle (of SourMashManifesto) regularly make posts there. Some members of the industry (such as David Perkins of High West) also chime in now and then.
shuboy05 11 months ago
hey ralfy, great review as always. I dont know if you can get it, but this year you should review some Four Roses Single Barrel. Its a quite superb bourbon for little cost.
contrinsic 1 year ago
Please correct me if I'm wrong but Rittenhouse Rye along with other available ryes are composed of over 51% rye whiskey with the rest taken up by corn and malt whiskey. While Ralfy does mention one of the 100% rye whiskies, WhistlePig, there are very few of this variety on sale in the United States and most likely hard to find in other parts of the world. The reason for this is that the 100% ryes are being made by craft distillers meaning production is much smaller.
shuboy05 1 year ago
@shuboy05
I've since learned why 100% rye whiskey is rare. When distillers make a mashbill entirely of rye, the wort tends to turn into a sticky mess. Hence why 5% (or more) of malted barley is added which has enzymes that prevent clumping. To make a 100% rye whiskey, you would need to add some external enzymes that serve the same purpose.
shuboy05 11 months ago
@shuboy05
... interesting stuff !
ralfystuff 11 months ago
I allways wanted to try rye whiskey. There are so many brands to try out though.
NintyFan56 1 year ago
im gonna miss the chime of that street car
fatalegg 1 year ago 5
do you own a bar ralfy?
largemarge1050 1 year ago 2
@largemarge1050
... no !
ralfystuff 1 year ago
@Ralfy
Aye - Rittenhouse 100 is a very good cheap rye. I think the WWA went a bit mental giving it best US whiskey, but all the same it's very good.
Personally, I prefer the standard Sazerac - I find it more fruity, elegant and I don't get the very slight bitterness from the oak I get with the Rittenhouse.
Neither of them are Van Winkle 13, the Saz 18 or Thomas Handy, but - hell - you pay through the nose for that stuff over here!
DrClaw78 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@DrClaw78 yeah same thing happened with Benchmark no.8 when IWSC keep givin it the top dog prizes - its sure good but... :/ I can imagine maybe these places have some old boy they wheel out every year to judge - his palate has 'long-gone' but has important financial interests perhaps. This is pure speculation of course..
chrish12345 1 year ago
You should review eagle rare!
metalmader 1 year ago
Love that you mentioned the Sazerac, and if you have absinthe, come and have a look at the Wormwood Society.
heavyharpoon89 1 year ago
Whistle Pig next????
bopplayer 1 year ago
Rye is Great! Great for beer and Great for whisky!
Tantrum777 1 year ago
In a way American rye whisky is like Irish Pure Pot Still. Both were styles that had fallen out of popularity but later received a revival. Why even George Washington's rye whisky made a comeback in the last decade.
shuboy05 1 year ago
Thank you Ralfy for these great review from one of the Malty Mericans
barnes199 1 year ago
Sazerac next?
RONINBVL 1 year ago
@RONINBVL
... possibly !
ralfystuff 1 year ago
@RONINBVL Sazarac is wonderful.
Also, Old Rip Van Winkle is very premium and delicious.
One of the finest ryes is Michter's Single Barrel Rye.
Wild Turkey also makes a great rye!
miket163 1 year ago
pleeeease let the next one be maker's mark!!!
breakdancer1988 1 year ago
@breakdancer1988
all done in review 155, both red and 46. No mark issued but ... around 87 'ish
ralfystuff 1 year ago
Dalek!!!!!!!!!
juggalo36forlife 1 year ago
@juggalo36forlife
e-x-t-e-r-m-i-n-a-t-e- !
ralfystuff 1 year ago