Pikesville Rye

Heaven Hill’s Pikesville Straight Rye is the second whiskey that Limpd and I sampled on that fateful night in mid-August when I once again darkened his door with my bag o’whiskey in hand (given my rather average stature, it’s amazing that I can darken any door. Or maybe he’s just calling me fat in a very roundabout way? Hey now!). Before we get to our review, here are a few things that I was able to find out about it:

  • A bit of history from the Pikesville Rye website:
    • First produced in Maryland in the 1890s, the brand, along with the rest of the once-booming Maryland Rye industry, was shuttered by prohibition. The brand reemerged after prohibition and became the last standing Maryland Rye, as the rest of the industry’s production had ceased. Now produced in Kentucky from extra-aged barrels stored in prime warehouse locations, Heaven Hill keeps this historic Maryland mark alive with this award-winning six year old, 110 proof offering.
  • Geeky details from Bourbon & Banter:
    • The mash bill is reported 51% Rye | 39% Corn | 10% Malted Barley
    • Based on the mash bill Pikesville is basically HH’s Rittenhouse Rye BIB with two more years of aging and an additional 10 proof points
    • Product will roll out to limited states this summer but will go national in the Fall at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

And now for our impressions of the latest and greatest from Heaven Hill…

Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey

  • Appearance: Golden amber color.
  • ABV: 55%
  • Aroma
    • Limpd: Astringent at first. Once I get past that, there are hints of menthol, honeysuckle, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
    • G-LO: Oodles of alcohol vapors that need to subside a bit. Once it settles down, I get clove, mint, burnt sugar, menthol, and caraway seed (or maybe I’m just craving a baked brisket sandwich on seeded rye with a smear of spicy mustard and a spicy pickle on the side. Who knows!)
  • Taste
    • Limpd: Crisp and sweet upfront. A little vapory and then a lot of heat in the middle. The finish is warm and relatively short.
    • G-LO: The mouthfeel is a touch on the thin and watery side. Starts off slow and then heats up quickly with cracked pepper and cinnamon heat. There’s a healthy dose of sweetness in the background, i.e. caramel and burnt sugar along with some clove. The finish is warm and lingering with lots of spice sweetness. A touch of bitterness comes through in the aftertaste, but not in an overbearing way.

The Verdict

  • Limpd: This is not a typical Rye, i.e. it doesn’t have that sharp note that I usually experience whenever I drink the stuff. Rather, this one is more well rounded with a greater depth of flavor. I’m guessing that it has a lot to do with the higher proof and extra time spent in the barrel. Me likey!
  • G-LO: Well this was quite a pleasant surprise. Much like the Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, this was different from the usual suspects that we get from Indiana. I like that bit of sweetness and I love the higher octane. I would definitely pick up a bottle of this stuff.

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Once again, many thanks to Mark Gillespie of WhiskyCast for supplying us with this tasty sample!


Filed under: Booze Review, Pikesville Tagged: booze, Drinkwire, Heaven Hill Distillery, Liquor, Maryland Rye, Pikesville Rye, Review, Reviews, Rye Whiskey, Spirits, Whiskey, Whisky