Pikesville Straight Rye

The nose starts with sweet buttercream frosting, apricot jam and mild black tea then honeysuckle and toasted pumpernickel bread followed by sour apple candy, maraschino cherries and orange zest that transitions to light baking spices and faint leather with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin to medium mouthfeel starting with sweet black tea, apricot jam and lemon zest before a moderate spice that slowly fades to honeysuckle and toasted pumpernickel bread followed by sour apple candy, stewed cherries and orange zest that transitions to light baking spices and leather with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with sweet black tea, charred caraway seeds, mandarin orange, toasted marshmallow, mild black pepper spice and leather. This is a really tasty rye that the nose is packed full of creamy sweet and sour fruits with mild tea, light florals and a light rye spice that carries over to the palate but the flavors are thinner than expected with a moderate spice before finishing with a mix of sweet tea, burnt rye, light citrus and mild spice. At a price of $50, this is an absolute bargain that seems tough to find but is a must buy if spotted on a shelf. Thanks @ContemplativeFox for the generous sample.

Color: Medium amber Nose: Rye spice, menthol Palate: (Drank with a small ice cube) Wow! Got a lot from the very first sip — but damned if I can separate and identify each individual element. Slight sweetness; more rye spice, for sure — that's most likely what I'm getting primarily. A few sips in, and I'm definitely picking up on some "citrus" notes. "Mint", as well — yes, definitely mint. Finish: long with lingering cooling mint and menthol. Crazy! This is really good! It's funny how, for the longest time, I didn't think I liked Rye. But I've had several now, and I've enjoyed them all. I'm not sure — I'd have to do side by side with all the other ryes I've had (WR, WT Rare Breed, Rabbit Hole, Ezra Brooks, Sazerac...) — but I think this could very well be the best rye I've had. I've wanted to try Pikesville for a while now, but you know how it is... You get distracted by a new release, or you get enticed by an impulse buy instead of something you've been meaning to try, etc. etc. Glad I finally followed through.

I had Pikeville first when i visited Heaven’s Hill. It was by far the best Rye I had after 5 distilleries I visited. It was hard to find in my market and when I saw it, I had to buy. On the nose: Mint, wax, pepper with subtle brown sugar On the palate: the famous Kentucky hug with the campfire experience in a Pinetree wood. I love the wet pinewood flavors. I need to experience this again on the fall. It might bring more sweetness to it.

Instant classic for me. Not just another rye. Greater complexity, character, intensity. I use it purely for drinking straight and probably my reaction to it evolved a little over the first couple tries. Also found the sweet spot of how to sip: for me it’s add a drop of water—pretty high proof to simply go at it completly straight—but doable if sips are small. Not cheap at about $57 but seems worth it.

This just came in third to Willett 4 yr Small Batch Rye and Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye in a blind tasting that also included Russell's Reserve SiB Rye. The tasting represented my favorite ryes to date. It was an absolutely delicious pour and I would gladly have a bottle on my shelf. Looking forward to trying against Rittenhouse in a blind showdown.

Leather and tobacco on the nose with brown sugar. Corn and oak sweetness and a faint whiff of mint on the nose as well. A nice punch of oak and and rye spice on the front of the palate coupled with a wonderful velvety texture. Brown sugar and a touch of maple syrup as well on the palate. This definitely one of my favorite Heaven Hill products.