Whiskey

  RYE WHISKEY

 

History. Rye whiskey was historically the prevalent whiskey of the northeastern states, especially Pennsylvania and Maryland. Pittsburgh was the center of rye whiskey production in the late 1700s and early 1800s. …

To be called a Rye whiskey, at least 51% of the grain used must be rye.  It  can also contain corn or malted barley.   This distilled whiskey is then aged in charred new oak barrels.

Different parts of the United States have different meanings for the term whiskey.  In the east, any where above Washington DC, when you ask for whiskey, you will automatically get rye whiskey.   Below Washington DC, you would get bourbon whiskey   Rye whiskey tends to be very flavorful,  which many refer to as a spicy and fruity taste.

Canadian rye  whiskey does not have that requirement.  In fact, they do not even have to use rye as the primary grain.   They can use more or less rye and more or less neutral spirits for blending.   This is why, Canadian rye whiskeys are considered lighter bu less flavor full as the American rye whiskey

Rye whiskeys can be considered blended rye.   A blended rye whiskey  is the product of blending different types of whiskeys and sometimes also neutral grain spirits, coloring, and flavorings. It is generally the product of mixing one or more higher-quality straight or single malt whiskies with less expensive spirits and other ingredients.

Rye whiskeys can also be made as straight rye.  This means that has been so aged for at least two years and has not been blended with other spirits may be further designated as straight, as in straight rye whiskey.

BLENDED AMERICAN RYE WHISKEY

Seagram  Ok, I have to be honest, I am not a big fan of American standard rye whiskeys.   To me they are always to harsh by themselves and even in some drinks, the infamous 7 & 7, I still find the alcohol and rye comes at me way too fast and furious.

 

 

 

Imperial    Basically, the same as my comments on Seagams.    I listed this one here, because it was the choice rye when doing boilermakers.   Now for you youngsters, a boilermaker is when yo take a shot glass full of rye and dump in directly into a glass of beer.   Then you pick up the glass and chug it all down!    Way      too many boilermakers in my early college days!

BLENDED CANADIAN RYE WHISKEY

Seagrams VO and Canadian Club      I first started drinking the Canadian ryes when I was drinking Manhattans.  I always find that these whiskey were smoother and provided a better all around classic cocktail   The American ryes always seemed to harsh and that harshness stood above whatever cocktail you were making.

 

 

 

  

STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY

Now we are talking the type of Ryes that I have always enjoyed!

 

Old Overholt  

 

This is the straight American rye.  If you ever wanted to experience a true hearty straight rye, this is the one.  You can smell the dark grain rye,  the char smoke and char vanilla cola.

This is really not a full, heavy rye, more on the light mellow side, and leaves a nice smoky char vanilla after taste.

 

 

High West Rendezvous    I have to steal these tasting notes, because I wasnt sure how I could describe this rye: 

 “Nose, heat, mint, anise, cinnamon. Palate, molasses, mint, anise, fruit cake and dark chocolate. Finish is long, hot and satisfying.”

 

 

 

Bullit  Very strong nose of the rye grain, charred grains, vanilla, cinnamon and other spices along with summer fruit.  Sweet and Syrupy to the taste , while the aftertaste is medium, but black pepper tones really shine through.

 

 

 

Whistle Pig    Again like most straight ryes, there is a pronounced aroma of rye and charred rye.   Add to this strong scents of ginger and nutmeg with a hint of anise.  During the finish, this mellows out to a creamy full texture with hints of butterscotch