And I'm back with another stop on my journey: Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond ($21.99, LAX Liquors, Beltsville, MD)
First thoughts: Earlier this year, I was able to sample Rittenhouse at a newly discovered gem of a store not far from my house. I remembered liking it but nothing specific, just that I would get a bottle when the opportunity presented itself. I've been scouting out places near me to find the best price for it, and just when I had settled on my local Total Wine, the honey hole of a store near my father's house beat them by $3. More about Rittenhouse: originally distilled in Pennsylvania and named for Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, the brand was acquired by Heaven Hill in the 90's and distilled on their premises in Kentucky, it barely meets the definition of rye, containing just 51% rye to go with 35% corn and 14% barley. It is also alternatively described as either a Pennsylvania or Maryland-style rye.
First sniff: From the bottle, it has the giveaway rye 'spice' note but with something fruity and reminiscent of a nice highland scotch. From the glass, the fruity smell was overtaken by the traditional rye spice, and as I am wont to do with the ryes I've really liked, I went back to the nose several times before actually giving it a taste.
First taste: Similar to the last new to me rye I had, it reminds me of Wild Turkey 101 yet still a rye through and through. Very slight hug at the back of my mouth and the aftertaste is palpable but feint in taste, which I blame on the low rye content for a rye.
Second taste: In just the couple of moments of letting it sit in the glass, the nose and second taste both got a little sweeter but left an almost black licorice taste at the end.
Knee-jerk reaction: Good proof at the price and a prototypical rye nose, I'm nevertheless left wanting more rye in my rye. Still, I like it better than the basic Elijah Craig Small Batch rye, which cost a few dollars more and is lower proof, and the Sagamore basic rye, which is even more expensive. All things considered, like Heaven Hill's more famous bargain basement label, Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, I think it's a good bang for the buck and ultimately scratches the basic rye itch.