I've Tried Thousands of Whiskeys. This Bottle Is the Best Cheap Rye, Period
I've been lucky enough to write about alcohol for almost two decades. During those years, I've had the privilege of sampling some dynamic, rare whiskey. At the same time, I've tried my fair share of ridiculously long-aged, highly sought-after Scotch whiskey and bourbon, as well as whisk(e)y from all corners of the globe like Taiwan, South Africa, and Sweden. Naturally, I've also tried a lot of excellent rye whiskey.
Some of my favorite rye whiskeys come from Canada, including the iconic Alberta Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. But when I envision classic rye whiskey, the first name that comes to mind is Rittenhouse Rye. There's no beating its value-to-quality ratio.
While bourbon is known as America's native spirit, it didn't really get a foothold in the US until the 1700s. Rye whiskey has a more extended history in the States. Technically, it's been available since before the U.S. was even a country.
Rye whiskey, popular in Maryland and Pennsylvania, was the most popular spirit after the Revolutionary War. This is because rum, which had previously been available for British colonists, wasn't an option to import anymore. Luckily, Dutch immigrants had a long history of making whiskey using rye as the base ingredient.
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Although Rittenhouse Rye hasn't been available since the 1600s, it has been one of the most popular American-made rye whiskeys since its inception in 1934. Originally called Rittenhouse Square Straight Rye Whiskey, the spirit was named for the famous Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.
While the original Rittenhouse Square Rye was a 100-proof, two-year-old whiskey, today it's a bottled-in-bond whiskey, meaning still 100 proof, that carries no age statement. Don't fret, though; it must be matured at least four years to fit U.S. guidelines.
Initially made in Pennsylvania, it's now produced at the renowned Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, KY. It's made in the classic Pennsylvania or "Monongahela" rye whiskey style, which is known for its sweet, spicy, and fruity flavor profile.
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To be considered a rye whiskey, it must be made with a mash bill of at least 51 percent rye, just like bourbon must be made with at least 51 percent corn. Some rye whiskeys lean more heavily into the rye percentage, creating a spicier, peppery whiskey. But Rittenhouse is only 51 percent rye. The other ingredients include 37 percent corn and 12 percent malted barley.
The result is a complex, balanced whiskey that begins with a nose of sticky toffee pudding, raisins, vanilla beans, oak, and cracked black pepper. Sipping it reveals notes of candied orange peels, cocoa powder, cinnamon candy, toasted vanilla peels, oaky wood, wintry spices, and cracked black pepper. The finish is warm and lingering, and it finishes with a mix of vanilla, butterscotch, and just a hint of rye spice.
Rittenhouse Rye is an excellent choice for mixing into classic cocktails like the scofflaw, vieux carre, Manhattan, and boulevardier. It's also a great rainy-day sipper that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. It's a versatile whiskey you'll keep on hand in perpetuity.
Now that I've regaled you with the laundry list of why Rittenhouse Rye is such an exceptional whiskey, it's time to get to the price. This versatile, everyday whiskey can be added to your home bar or bar cart for the astonishing price of around $25.
Yes, you read that right. This can't-miss rye whiskey is available for half the cost of other rye whiskeys on the market that have comparable—if not lesser—quality. That's why it's my only go-to rye.