Hannah’s Pikesville Straight Rye Review
Original review written October 19, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A savory whiskey, Pikesville still manages to be incredibly fresh. With a fun mouth feel and good blend, it’s hard to not enjoy it thoroughly. 89/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Straight Rye Whiskey
– Age: 6 yrs.
– Mash Bill: Rye=51%; Corn=39%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: unpublished
– ABV: 55% (110 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho (2021)
Visit heavenhilldistillery.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed this spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this rye here!
SETTING:
I imagine sitting in a little café at breakfast time, watching the world go by, and having a pour of Pikesville Rye beside me. The sun is shining brightly, and the streets are cluttered with people as they go about their daily lives, and I’m met with freshness and sunshine in a glass. It’s gonna be a good day.
Photo by Tony Lee on Unsplash
NOSE:
Rye, anise, and light brown sugar come from the glass on the first inhale and in very strong doses of each. With it comes a bright floral element and a mix of maple and simple syrup, while still being mild in its sweetness. They pair with something I can only call a breakfast pastry – in other words, not heavy, but still slightly savory, even in its sweetness. There’s also a very gentle raspberry and citrus zest to go with the floral, but it really is quite mild. I find a piney freshness also as opposed to a dominant oak of any kind. And for being 110 proof, it certainly doesn’t want to bite, and it doesn’t even tingle much either on the nose. Overall, I’d say this nose is quite fresh and bright, and – to me – very intriguing.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Fun. It’s got a raspy texture that just pops at the back of the palate, likely thanks to the rye.
– Balance: Solid. I’m not finding anything sticking out awkwardly. While I think there is a savory essence to this, it’s backed by enough grain to soften and freshen it.
– Visual: Mahogany, the crown on this pour just does not stop. It’s thick, lingering, and it follows absolutely everywhere the rye goes. The droplets that dip from the crown even linger to actually give it a strong regal look.
– Taste: The freshness of rye is immediately apparent, especially after the sip, and it just blooms. And strangely enough, I am really sensing the barley. I taste it in the way I might in a light beer like a pilsner – a little hoppy, but still flavorful. I find some anise from the nose, which I am less excited about, as I’m not a big anise fan. However, it’s not overpowering or something that I can’t get past. The breakfast pastry is still there, but this pastry has a bit of a tang to it, like a sourdough bread prepared for a cheese spread.
The only thing I am struggling to find is oak. It’s a light, barely-there wood essence. However, the flavors that are here, work. I don’t find myself desperately needing oak, or any wood truthfully, to accompany them.
The alcohol is almost timid in the glass. I can find it, but it is not portraying itself as a main character, and it seems comfortable with that. A Kentucky chew makes the alcohol feel like raspy needles on the tongue. It makes me crave parmesan even more. It’s an incredibly fun Kentucky chew that has a strong alcohol character that is easy to fall for.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium-long. The tickle at the back of my throat lingers on and on, even if the flavor isn’t particularly long-lasting.
– Between Sips: The rye grain is strongest between sips along with some of that sourdough tanginess that makes me excited for another sip.
– No More: This stays consistent throughout the glass. I ended up scrounging around for some parmesan cheese towards the end (don’t worry – the review was already written and wasn’t influenced at all), and let me just say… YES. Absolutely delicious, and well-worth the pour. It’s amazing.
The empty Glencairn is just as fresh as the rest of the glass with that bit of oakiness that might’ve been missing from the rest of the pour. Nevertheless, this is a great empty glass to pair with a great rye. Can’t wait for my next pour.
WORTH THE PRICE?
This is a fresh change of pace for us, and I, personally, think it’s a very welcome one. I’m enjoying a lot of aspects about this rye, and altogether, I do think it is worth the $50 price tag. It’s interesting and fresh, and it makes me crave cheese. I’m not sure what could possibly be wrong about that!
PIKESVILLE STRAIGHT RYE REVIEW RATING: 89/100
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