Rye Whisky Recommendation

just for clarification the second part of my post is asking if anyone knows how the 2011 Thomas H. Handy stacks up to the 2010 version.

@Jason0142, I own several bottles each of both the 2010 and 2011 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey. The 2011 is just fine. I highly recommend it. I am not sure I could pick one over the other between those two releases.

I think that there is a prior discussion on US straight ryes. My short answer about ryes is that the best in my book: Handy, any Old Potrero, especially 18th Century, Sazerac 18, any old (10+ yo) Willett rye, any 21+ yo Rittenhouse Rye, Van Winkle 13 yo Rye, and one or two rare special issues, like Abraham Bowman 10 yo rye.

For "standard ryes", I like Wild Turkey 101 Rye, and also the Russell's Reserve 6 yo. After than, Rittenhouse 100 proof.

Lots of people like Bulleit 95 Rye, though I am personally not a big fan of Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana products, including Bulleit 95. If you like that minty rounded LDI style, they also make Redemption Rye, Templeton Rye, some of the young Willet Ryes (eg 3 yrs) and contribute much or most of the flavour styling to many of the High West Ryes.

The 40% abv ryes like Old Overholt, Beam Yellow, and Pikesville Supreme, can be good in an exceptionally good year, but recently they have been dull, and just too dilute. They do benefit enormously from oxidation, though, so try that with Old Overholt especially. I have been finding that some year+ old bottles of non-descript rye in this category have been getting pretty darn good with oxidation.

Templeton Rye is my favorite with Sazarac a close second. www.templetonrye.com

@Victor, that was the short answer?

I am a big fan of Highwest Rendezvous Rye.

They have a 12, 16, and 21 year as well. The 12 year is my favorite but while I have a stash it is now unavailable.

Just had some High West Double Rye and Son of Bourye. The Double is wonderful. Sweet, caramel and very flavorful.

Sazarac 6 year ("baby saz") makes a good intro rye. Vintage 21 year and Pappy Rye 13 year are very good if you can find them. I also enjoy High West Rendezvous Rye, Russell's Reserve 6 year, and Wild Turkey 101 Rye

High West's "Double Rye"and "Rendez-vous" , Rittenhouse 100 Proof.

Generally I find that while 43-46% abv is the minimum for Scotch not to taste diluted, for American Whisky, anything below 46-50% will taste bland regardless of the excellent quality the Whisky might have had before (excessive IMHO) dilution.

I am not sure what is available in Australia but for starting out if you can get it, I would definitely go for Rittenhouse Rye 100 proof. I think it is outstanding and very reasonable price wise. If you don't like it (but I think you will) you'll be out very little. I don't like the Bulleit Rye as much but I can see why people do.

Rittenhouse Rye 100 proof is really an excellent intro to rye. It is not too far a departure from bourbon, so you'll be sure to like it if you're a bourbon drinker. Some of the drier/crisper ryes might turn you off, as they did for me.

Rittenhouse Rye is a great whisky, period. Don't be fooled by the cheap price. It's excellent. Sweet, spicy, and "dark" with dark chocolate and berry flavors.

@valuewhisky, Rittenhouse Rye is great stuff, indeed. If you want to blow your mind sometime, find someplace that has some of the Rittenhouse 21, 23 (Europe mostly), or 25 yo ryes. Whoa, horsey! Old, oakey rye whiskey. Something to chew on.

@Victor Thanks Victor. I'll keep my eyes open, but I live in a control state so chances are slim. Would definitely like to try an old rye at some point. I probably have the best shot at getting a Sazerac 18, which basically means I have little chance of getting any of them :-P