Rittenhouse Rye

Rittenhouse Rye
Heaven Hill Distillery
Louisville, Kentucky
ABV: 50%
100 Proof

My favorite cocktail is the Manhattan and it seems like every time I get the chance to ask the bartender what their preference is for the rye they have one of two answers: Rittenhouse or Sazerac. I’ve tried both and I have to agree. Rittenhouse edges out slightly for me which is why I decided to write about it. Oh look at that, it’s made by Heaven Hill distillery.

By itself the rye isn’t anything to write home about. The nose has a simple and subtle caramel and vanilla note to it. The taste is middle of the road, somewhere between smooth and harsh depending on the sip and the flavor is even throughout. I think that is what makes it such a great mixer. You don’t want to use an exceptional rye and sacrifice it’s flavor and at the same time you don’t want it to ruin the drink. The average taste of this drink is what allows it to mix well with the other simple ingredients and become something greater. So when I’m at a bar I ask for this if I see it on the shelf.