Good News/Bad News: The Last of Rittenhouse Single Barrel Rye

Jack Bettridge
Posted: September 1, 2009

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APPEARANCE: It's a dark amber whiskey with the slight cloudiness associated with the lack of chill filtering. It gives up its legs very, very slowly in shapely tears.

NOSE: After an initial blast of spice, becomes redolent of much candy with licorice and maple.

PALATE: Comes out with a sharp tang of spice and Stilton cheese, then turns very sweet, very quickly. The taste of a licorice Necco wafer settles on the middle of the tongue, and then come maple, vanilla, caramel and toast.

FINISH: Extremely long finish, as the candy and maple of the palate seem to last forever. A quarter of an hour later come graham cracker and honey notes.

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond 100 proof

APPEARANCE: Deep amber color with thick legs

NOSE: As well as being spicy, smells of vanilla, apple and maple.

PALATE: Hugely spicy and slightly rough to start, but is quickly rounded out by vanilla around the edges. Some apple, maple and orange.

FINISH: Gets even rounder and smoother on the complex finish of nuts, caramel, vanilla, apple and toast.

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