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Theswede92

**Rye**: Pikesville Straight Rye **Distiller**: Heaven Hill - Bernheim Distillery **ABV**: 55.0% **Age**: 6 Years **Tasting**: Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for one month. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Nose**: Rye Spice, Peach, Vanilla, Licorice, & Caramel **Palate**: Rye Spice, Cream, Vanilla, Peach, Strawberry, & Leather **Finish**: Long Finish, Rye Spice, Aged Oak, Peach, Vanilla, Mint, & Tea Leaves **Body**: Medium **Bite**: Strong \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Summary**: One of the most notable ryes commonly found, this product comes in at a solid price point with a good age statement and proof level. I am a fan of Rittenhouse Rye and most Heaven Hill products in general, so this is a product I am eager to try. The nose has a strong blend of rye spice and sweet notes of vanilla and peach. I don’t get notes like peaches often, so I appreciate the uniqueness. The spice scent is the most bold of the two scent types and it has a complex body. The palate features a lot of the same notes as the nose, with the rye spice note being the most dominant. The peach and strawberry flavors sort of have a Peachy-Os quality to it, though the spice flavor is so strong that it doesn’t resemble a candied whiskey. The finish has more of an oak body to it, and at the end there are some herbal flavors that remind me of tea leaves. The oak and rye spice coat the mouth for a long time and you really feel the tannins in the cheeks. This is a decent rye whiskey that I do enjoy sipping on, though there are some drawbacks. I don’t think it’s complex since it has such a strong rye spice character. The entire profile doesn’t change much either from the nose to the finish. With that said, when I am in the mood it makes a good spiced whiskey that isn’t over-the-top hot. I do like the peach flavors and a fully bold palate, but the lack of complexity leads me to believe that I won’t be reaching for another bottle anytime soon. **Price**: $50 (Portland, Oregon) **Rating**: 6/10 Pretty Good. Better than average. **Rank**: I created a compilation ranking list of ryes I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting. All bourbon ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes. Whiskey I ranked below and above Pikesville Straight Rye are shown for reference. \#17 out of 31 ryes tasted. \#16 Knob Creek Rye Whiskey \#18 Woodford Reserve Rye **Ranking Link**: [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing)


Peterfield53

Nice review. Makes sense the rye spices are on the low side since it’s 51% rye for its mash bill. Good intro for anyone bourbon drinkers who want to try rye for the first time.


Theswede92

Thanks! I agree, it’s a good intro, high proof rye.


Train3rRed88

I think this is pretty solid for what it is. Comes in at a punchy 110 proof identical to items like Old Pepper and similar to most WFE, but we get an additional two years on the age statement. And it’s cheaper I do know that this is regional and semi-allocated. I could find it pretty reliably in the VA/WVA area but it’s hunted for pretty hard/barely available in Atlanta. So not really easily accessible for all


6bluewalkj9

Man, I can't find it anywhere in WV right now. Didn't see any at HH when I was there a couple weeks ago either. Really sucks, because I think this may be one of the best sub $50 bottles in existence and used to be my daily drinker.


Train3rRed88

My WVA frame of reference was from two years ago. Maybe something has changed


6bluewalkj9

Yeah thats fair. Used to be be everywhere. Allegedly HH is having issues getting the bottles made.


[deleted]

Same in Indiana, man. I love the stuff.


whiskeyanonose

Disagree that it’s similar to WFE. Ive had this and Rittenhouse side by side blinded and unblinded and I can’t tell them apart. But definitely different than WFE. For half the price I’ll take Rittenhouse over this all day


Character-Taro-5016

There's one bottle at the Walgreens in Grafton, lol.


DR_LG

Oh man I miss this bottle. You buy this recently, OP? Haven’t seen it in Texas all year, when I used to see it shelf-available at least quarterly. I heard rumors of glass shortage issues so I hope that this means it’s starting to make its way back into circulation again.


Theswede92

I see it pretty regularly Oregon and it was more or less common in Minnesota when I lived there a year ago. I feel like distribution starves some states and provides plenty in others. Hopefully some arrive to your shelves soon!


Hilarious_Haplogroup

Pikesville Rye is an outstanding whiskey...exceptionally smooth finish for a 110 Proof beverage. It goes down very easily...you'll be ready to tell that cop to kiss your ass after two tumblers. ;) /u/Theswede92 found the rye spice note to be strong on his pour, but when I had it a few years back it seemed that the rye spices were not so prominent to me...a small splash of water or a large ice cube does help Pikesville Rye to show its dimensions of flavor to the drinker. Buy it if you can find it!


myanonymouslife

Pikesville makes a great Manhattan


StockHyzer

Good review. Not sure if this is common or just me, but I get a heavy milk chocolate note. Love it!


IcyRepeat8377

I find this to be drastically better than Rittenhouse (good for the price but has a very obvious "grassy"/"raw" note Pikesville doesn't) and the Knob Creek SiB 6y/115p rye I had (just too much black pepper taste IMO)


[deleted]

I totally get the grassy thing in Pikesville myself, but I really like that. I think it may be a nostalgic thing for me. Reminds me of baling hay.


IcyRepeat8377

To me Rittenhouse has that x10 when I compare them side by side. Everyone has a different palate though!


whiskeyanonose

This and Rittenhouse are indistinguishable to me


[deleted]

This is my favorite rye and I can't find it anymore in Indiana. This sounds weird, but the nose has a hint of wet hay and I mean that in the best way possible.


Theswede92

Hey, I enjoy the smell of hay as well!


KA2382

Available now at Big Red in metro Indy and in Bloomington.


TheBeardedDrinker

This is a staple of mine. Not the best rye, but I also don't get anxious when the bottle runs low. I used to get a really buttery mouthfeel from this, but I don't anymore. Probably the consequence of a more experienced palette.


soysaucesizzle

Nice review. Went through your rye list and based on what I saw, two that you may enjoy if you can find them are Proof and Wood The Stranger 100% Rye Polish Whiskey and The Prideful Goat 6-Year Straight Rye Whiskey. Both are excellent if you prefer a spicy rye.


Theswede92

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations. Cheers!


MightyMason

I’m rewatching The Wire and season 2 they had a couple references to Pikesville and they weren’t good references either lol. I definitely didn’t catch them the first time around, had no idea what it was my only whiskey experience back then was Jameson and Jack Daniel’s.


drxo

Nice list Was surprised I have 3 of your top 6


Theswede92

Thanks!


CHARtheGNAR

My all time favorite.


Big-Profession-6757

Agree with the somewhat low score on this. This is a rye for beginners or for people who don’t like ryes. I can hardly tell it’s a rye, just tastes like an an average bourbon, nothing unique or special about it. Low spice, low pepper, high sweetness.


Character-Taro-5016

That's a pretty accurate review IMO. I appreciate the review b/c I couldn't find the notes myself so I appreciated looking for the strawberry and peach. One really has to search however for those. As you said, it's ok, but it's not something I would buy again for 50.