Old Label Rittenhouse Rye question

[Enoch]

In my travels this week I came across some Rittenhouse Rye but the label was different from the current one. It has 90 on the bottom of the bottle. I didn't get any but know where it is and plan on going back. Has anyone had 1990 RR? How does it compare to the stuff today. Was it made by the same distillery?

When did heaven Hill acquire rittenhouse?

Thanks,

[Enoch]

Here is a picture I found on the internet except the background was black instead of pinkish.

[tommyboy38]

I picked up some Rittenhouse from the 50's recently that had a similiar label.

[cowdery]

This one is circa 1990. This is the BIB, which was the principal expression even then. I assume the lighter background one, above, is for the 80 proof.

[White Dog]

This one is circa 1990. This is the BIB, which was the principal expression even then. I assume the lighter background one, above, is for the 80 proof.

The lighter background is the 80, as I found one myself about a month ago. Mine has a 93 on the bottom of the bottle.

Chuck, should I assume that it was distilled at Old Heaven Hill? Or did they contract their Rye back then, as well?

[cowdery]

Anything older than about 1996 was probably made at Medley. When that 1990 photograph was taken, it was a Glenmore product, made at Medley. Until it got Rittenhouse from Diageo, HH's main rye was Pikesville.

[Enoch]

I went back and got a bottle of 1993 Ritt Rye and quite enjoy it. It is truly a different beast from the current Ritt Rye. Sweeter and mellower than the current. Also says Owensboro on the label. FYI

[Rughi]

Rittenhouse was made at Barton between its stints at Medley and Heaven Hill.
There's some discussion of the three distinct whiskies in this thread, posts 51-60

I loved the Barton version of Rittenhouse.

Roger

[Virus_Of_Life]

Rittenhouse was made at Barton between its stints at Medley and Heaven Hill.

Roger

Wasn't it also distilled in Pennsylvania - Continental perhaps? - at one point too Roger?

[Gillman]

Yes, starting up in the 1930's, although the name Rittenhouse for rye predates Prohibition.

Continental stopped making rye sometime in the 1970's, whence the other arrangements Roger mentioned.

Interesting that they would ascribe lightness to a whiskey of that age.

Gary