If you’re looking for a solid rye whisky that won’t break the bank, look no further.  Rittenhouse Rye Whisky is Heaven Hill’s standard rye offering.  It’s bottled-in-bond (BiB), which tells us this whisky is at least four years old and 100 proof.   Unlike a lot of rye whiskies on the market, Rittenhouse Rye is not distilled in Indiana by MGP.  It’s made at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim distillery in Louisville, KY.  That’s the nice thing about a BiB whisky – whisky makers are forced to tell us where the whisky is distilled.  The exact mash bill isn’t disclosed.  However, being a straight rye whisky, Rittenhouse has at least 51% rye in its mash bill.

On the nose, I get sharp rye spice, butterscotch, honey, cinnamon and a little rubbing alcohol.  The rye spice is still evident in the palate, followed by some sweet caramel and floral honey.  The higher proof provides a bit of a kick with some cayenne pepper and sweet cinnamon.  There’s a long warm, sweet cinnamon finish.

As I mentioned earlier, Rittenhouse Rye is a solid rye whisky that will only set you back about $20.  Great value here.  I tend to use Rittenhouse as a mixer instead of drinking it straight, although I’ve had a dram or two of this whisky neat.  It makes a killer sazerac cocktail.

7.5/10