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$20, $50 & $100+ Rye Whiskeys Compared
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ส.ค. 2024
- I know it can be confusing walking down a whiskey isle and seeing hundreds of bottles all at different proofs/abv’s (alcohol by volumes) and prices. Today I'm going to try and highlight what you should expect when spending different price points in that Rye Whiskey aisle of your local liquor store. We'll be taking a look at what I consider to be solid ryes at their given pricing. Are before you jump in with "Where's this or that?", yes others could have easily fit in here, but the objective wouldn't have changed. The bottles I review are:
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
5:39 - Bulleit Rye at $22
7:37 - Old Forester Rye at $25
9:42 - Pikesville Rye at $50
11:43 - Old Pepper Single Barrel Rye at $50
13:08 - Saints Alley "The Nobleman" Rye at $80
15:42 - Redemption 10 Year Rye at $100
* The $2600-$3000 bottle of Van Winkle Family Reserve from 2009 can be seen at www.patreon.com/liquorhound. If you join, you can help me keep my independence and allow me to continue self-purchasing bottles for unbiased reviews on this channel. So, please consider joining us at www.patreon.com/LiquorHound. There you’ll get add-free videos, a 2-week head start on hunting all the bottles I review - before they launch on TH-cam. You’ll also get lots of “Patron Only” bonus content - including the large private review library (which has never been on TH-cam), have the ability to message me directly with questions, and can be eligible for my giveaways.
As of March 2023, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, my “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our two new Special Editions are almost gone. But don’t worry, we just created Batch 2’s of both! Our "Nobleman" Rye Whiskey aged in Tokaji (pronounced Tok-eye) casks - Tokaji is a Hungarian fortified wine (similar to the French Sauternes) that’s oak barrel aged. The other is a twist on our "Herald" Bourbon. Instead of just finishing the bourbon in Armagnac casks, we've also used some that rested in French Pineau des Charentes casks - “Pineau” is unfiltered grape juice (sometimes lightly fermented) that’s fortified with Cognac and barrel aged. Trust me, all are delicious, and given my knowledge and high standards, you know I’m working hard with my team to continue releasing whiskeys that we're proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
Hats off to you for respecting all your viewers, and getting on with reviewing the product, rather than simply making the video to be a gratuitous plug for your patreon pals!
Thank you! I’m all about the love of spirits! Cheers!
Timely video. I've been moving up into the $50-$70 tier of ryes recently. I'm astounded by how much flavor variation can be achieved and all with out finishing. Some standouts so far have been Stellum green label (dill, mint, vanilla frosting) and Alberta Premium Cask Strength (baked cinnamon roll). My local shop has a Sagamore Cask strength pick which I intend to try next.
Just picked up Batch 2 of the Nobleman, and it’s fantastic! Easily in the top 5 ryes I’ve had this year!
Thank you and I’m so glad you enjoy it! Cheers to you! 🥃
And if you get a chance, try Batch 3. I think it falls between Batch 1 & 2 and is a real crowd pleaser. 👍
The Nobleman is the best buy for the $ I've had in a long time. This is what rye aspires to
Some of the Nashville Barrel rye releases have been excellent. I have a 8 year rye store pick total wine from them that was exceptional. Sweet mash ryes are interesting at the younger range. I have a very nice double barrel rye from the boys at Peerless that I’m liking more and more once it opens up. Buzzards Roost, The Senator cask strength ryes all very interesting on the “big rye” end of the spectrum. Thanks for the work you are doing with Saints Alley. 👍🏻
All great ryes! Thank you for that fantastic input and cheers!
Love your channel. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
When it comes to rye, I've only had Pikesville. Non of the others is even available in Sweden where i live. We have around 25-30 different bottles to choose from in the rye category. The interest isnt large so the options become severely limited.
And alcohol is heavily taxed here. That makes it so that Pikesville 6 YO costs 97 usd. While I like it, that is to much for what you get. I would be glad to pay 50, what a dream.
Nice rundown!
The only one I've tried is the Pikesville which I enjoy, especially at $39.99 locally.
One of the best Ryes I had from 2022 was the Redwood Empire Cask Strength Emerald Giant. I think it's only a 4 or 5yr age statement but wow, the complexity you get out of it... and at 116.8 proof... it's definitely $70 well spent! Salutos Sabueso!
Great review much appreciated having been trying different options while fairly scarce in London Lott 40 £33 and wilderness trail single barrel rye £80 are winners for me keep up the good work 🍻
Thank you! You may not have a lot to choose from, but those two are solid! Take care and cheers!
The best liquor channel on TH-cam
Much appreciated and cheers!
It will be great if you do a Rye comparison based on taste profile (spicy, caramel, mid spicy, smoky, sweet, finished) , and pick top 3 in each taste based on Proof profile (
I really like the Angel's Envy & Templeton Rye Caribbean Rum Barrel Rye's
Howdy Bro! And there you go with a new interesting review!👌👍
It’s been a few years since I’ve tuned in to one of your vids. You’ve had some bangers over the years. That 13 yr Medley in the VWFFR is one of the most memorable whiskies I’ve tasted. Thanks for the notes. I think I’ll scout out a bottle of the OF for sips if not cocktails. Cheers buddy.
Thank you for being here and cheers!
Great video sir. I lost most of my sense of taste when I caught COVID but I will taste these when I get a chance.
I just restarted my bourbon journey in December 2022. I have bought about 115 bottles of bourbon since then, and I only have 3 Ryes: Old Forester 100 Rye, Pikesville and a Found North store pick Rye. I have heard good things about Sagamore Spirits, New Riff Rye, Rare Breed Rye and others. As you can see, I am not into rye very much, but palates change.
Sounds great and palates definitely develop! Congratulations on creating such a nice collection in such a short period of time! Just keep trying different bottles - hopefully by sharing with friends so you don't have to buy the entire store yourself ;-D. Oh, and I'm actually about to do a review on 4 Found North bottles very soon, so stay tuned for that! Take care and cheers!
@@LiquorHound I plan to retire in 2 years so getting many bottles while collecting a paycheck. Plan to share with family and friends!
Nice review as always. My go-to in that $80-90 range is Barrell Batch 3. Would like to have seen how that stacks up in your opinion, but ya can't review them all. Rare Breed rye is also a good one in the same range as Pikesville.
Is smoked prosciutto essentially speck (at least in Italy …I believe it’s different in Germany)?
Oh, and no plums are used in Armagnac only a few AOC regulated grapes. Though a few domaines like Cardinat, for ex, push heavy on the cooked plum or stone fruit part of the flavor wheel.
My apologies if that didn't come across correctly. Yes, I know only grapes are used in the making of Armagnac. I was actually speaking of the flavor profile of the dried plums (prunes) that are aged in Armagnac. I couldn't think of their exact name on the spot, but they're called Pruneaux à l’Armagnac. Thank you for the comment and cheers!
I hope to see some Ironroot & Saints Alley make its way to NY one day! Been on my list for a while now! Cheers
Thanks! I’m not sure how close it is to you, but I believe the Total Wine at Westbury Plaza (1230 Old Country Rd. Suite A, Westbury, NY 11590) has several of our Saints Alley whiskeys. Cheers!
Willett rye us my favorite I get green apples on the pallet
Thank you for the suggestion and cheers!
So many bottles behind you, Alcohol heaven !
Love the video Chris. I was surprised you didn’t include the 4 year willet rye. It would be a good competitor for the top price range and mix it up from having too much mgp on the table.
What do you think of the 4 year willet rye?
Good call! It’s a nice rye, but I haven’t bought a new one in a while. Thank you and cheers!
Great reviews, All of these are pretty good quality. If I want a bourbon with alot of fruit notes should I go with the Saints Alley Bourbon Armagnac or the Port Cognac one?
I'd think it would be the Port & Cognac one (jammy fruit with a nice euro oak spice), but The Herald also has a rich fruit note, but it's heavier and darker (think plums, clove and chocolate). I'd recommend trying them both at Total Wine and deciding there. Take care and cheers!
Thanks, I wished you could have expanded into “ world ryes” I know lots of countries started make ryes, and I wonder of their quality and comparison to American brands. Let me know if you had any of quality.
Thanks! The biggest issue is the availability of "world ryes" in my area. Sure we get some Canadian Ryes, but not a lot beyond that. Cheers!
What was the first bottle years ago that made you want to explore this as something more than as a way to get a buzz
I believe that honor has to go to one of my earliest bottles. The one that jumps to mind is the first release of El Tesoro Paradiso tequila from 1994. Man, I still remember falling in love with it! Thanks for the question and cheers!
I'm just starting the video but I'm really hoping you get into the mash bills. I think worth noting that bourbon drinkers may prefer some more of the barely legal rye mash bills out there like Rittenhouse or knob Creek. Versus something that's in the 60% rye mash like old Forester or 70% like Jack Daniels. Once you get above 90% it's largely MGP but there is some bardstown out there. The crown Royal harvest Rye is worth noting as well at that percentage. Getting into the 100% Rye Mash is really diving in the deep end, but maybe it's worth mentioning some of the blended rye mash bills like Sagamore.
I totally agree! Thank you for the informative comment and cheers!
MGP, MGP, MGP. No originality, all packaging. Ridiculous!
Lol, have you tasted these? Taste them and report back. I’ve never been a shill for any brand or producer. Cheers!