Pinhook Rye Humor

It never ceases to amaze me how many users incorrectly add new reviewed products to this app. Since this entry clearly is supposed to be the non single barrel 2018 entry, this is of course what I am reviewing here. Pinhook and I have an interesting relationship. Some of their products are great, and there are some that disappoint. You would think their system is pretty flawless, one bourbon and one rye a year, different colors, easy to distinguish labels and wax seals. However, I have found that, on more than just a few occasions, I have either gotten confused or mixed up with one product that I bought, and then realized it was not what I was originally after. In this case, I was certain while in the store that this was 'Tiz Rye Time, but alas, I suppose my blind ass missed the bright blue seal. The nose has a good amount of fresh sugar and cinnamon, which is riding on a strong wave of grass, banana, and toffee. The proof is not overwhelming, but it definitely lets you know that this is not an entry level rye. My first taste is immediately banana and sugar, definitely getting bananas foster notes. You could easily tell me this was rum barrel aged, and I would probably start guessing the rum distiller with great confidence. There is spice near the finish, but it's coming way more from the proof than from the rye itself. The finish is long, but again, this is mostly due to the proof. However, I can certainly taste the cinnamon spice as it works it's way into my gums. Honestly, there is very little rye contribution here, compared to all else that is offered. Usually Pinhook has a consistent disappointment or lack of flavor due to cutting their age too early, but this one doesn't bother me too much. Really, in my opinion, rye whiskeys don't need too much age, especially when the base mash bill is all or mostly rye, and this one may be in the sweet spot of age. I can imagine myself enjoying this an equal amount just neat, as well as in some great cocktails, both classic and unique.

I’ll start by saying my bottle is the 2019 cask strength rye humor 115 ABV. 95/5 MGP rye mix. The bottle looks the same as pictured but may be different as all of Pinhooks bottles look the same to me. Okay now for what is in the bottle. I’ll start by saying this was surprisingly “sweeter” than I thought it would be considering the proof and that it’s a rye whiskey. Smooth being in quotations because I think most people would say that’s not a good adjective to use but I think most whiskey drinkers will understand. The flavors reminded me of dickel rye but I didn’t have a bottle handy to try side by side but since this is using the standard MGP rye bill mash I imagine I’m not too far off. For what it’s worth, I love the dickel rye. The price was a little more than I like spending at almost $50 after tax but to splurge once in a while for something I tried before buying and also liked, I’m happy with my purchase. I tried this at home along 3 other ryes the other night (Wild Buck, HW Double Rye, and Templeton 4) and this was second best in my opinion behind the Double Rye which is half the price. I bet this would be an amazing old fashioned so I’ll experiment with that next time I pull it out. Conclusion, yes this was a good rye but it replicates a bottle half the price (Dickel) but also has a much higher proof. So if you like Dickel rye but want a little more bite then this may be in your wheelhouse.

Nose: Key-lime pie with whipped cream. Lemongrass. The citrus coming off this nose is crazy - almost like citrus oils were added directly to the whiskey. Red bell pepper, thyme, basil. Pine-Sol. Fresh cut grass, barnyard hay. Underripe bananas. Tart cherries, floral. There's an almost tequila-like experience to this nose. Some oak, though not much. Palate: Honey, key lime, whipped cream with vanilla. Oak, though not much - almost more of a sandalwood. Loads of fruit character - there's now ripe blueberry, strawberry, apricot, blackberries... Even ripe banana. The vegetal notes are now more of a mint and clove oil than on the nose. Mouthfeel is medium light. Finish begins with the mint, fruit, and citrus oil rushing to the fore. The fruit and mint just start to fade off while some tannin shows up. The pine, citrus oil, and mint then trade blows and this fades off. Medium-long finish. Other notes: This stuff is weird in the absolute best way. It's got all sorts of character without being "challenging" - there's not much to acclimate to which makes it easy to dive in head-first and go for it. The citrus and fruit here are totally out of left field for me, and showcase that rye is a much more capable category than I think most are aware. This won't be everybody's jam, but to me it's a beautiful idea and execution.

-Neat to start and ended with one ice cube. -Nose: forest pine, wildflowers, bit of rosewater. -Palate: Citrus (orange) initially, then spearmint and clove fight back and forth. -Finish: Clove spice lingers citrus pleasantly stays on the tongue. -No need for ice, however, it does bring out deeper herbal and orange peel notes.

Herbal nose of white pine, pine cones, hint of vanilla and caramel. Mouthfeel full and viscous. Palate sweet and fruity on attack, but punchy and spicy like a rye should be. Finishes like a light IPA. Lingers long with a slow and low burn, slight KY hug. Easy sipper. Does not disappoint.

Not my fave. Nose is a nice caramel. Initial taste reveals a rye sharpness on the front of the tongue vs a burn in the back of the throat. Finish is a warming of the throat with no noticeable lingering dominant flavor. One drop of water does lessen the burn.