What rye are you drinking Fall/Winter 2014?

[tanstaafl2]

The other half of our blind flight of whiskey described here last night was a rye taste off. This round pitted the new WT 101, Dickel, Whistlepig 10yo and McKenzie rye against one another. Deliberately chose a big distiller, small distiller, an MGP (with a bit of a twist form the charcoal filtering) and a Canadian sourced 100% rye for a fairly broad variety. The WP was the unanimous winner in this one.

For me the McKenzie, with its more distinctive rye grain notes, was pretty obvious. Others had more difficulty picking out which one was the small distillery. The WT was a touch hot compared to the others but pretty flavorful. The Dickel tasted most like the top choice, Whistlepig, but was a little more "soft" than either the WT or the WP. I think in this comparison the charcoal filtering didn't help the Dickel any. The light sweet character of the WP as well as the heavier body, no doubt due to its age, was what appealed to everyone.

[Hedonist]

The other half of our blind flight of whiskey described here The Dickel tasted most like the top choice, Whistlepig, but was a little more "soft" than either the WT or the WP.

At only 90 proof, Dickel is a little watered down. I wonder if SAOS would have made a better showing for MGP.

Agree that WP is great tasting and WT101 is hot (in a good way). Nice comparison.

[BigBoldBully]

Had some Jeff10 ucf, first neat then mixed with melted horehound candy and a little juice. Really hit the spot.

[tanstaafl2]

At only 90 proof, Dickel is a little watered down. I wonder if SAOS would have made a better showing for MGP.

Agree that WP is great tasting and WT101 is hot (in a good way). Nice comparison.

[Hedonist]

Probably so but didn't have a bottle on hand and I confess I didn't want to buy one just for this little exercise. Had several MGP ryes (Bullett, Redemption BP, HW blends) but nothing that was the right fit. The other one I considered was the Hooker House Zinfandel finished rye at 94 proof but ended up going with the Dickel.

I think Dickel makes one of the best sub $25 LDI ryes out there. And I agree that it was the better bottle over Hooker's House. I like HH, but it's probably too unique to rep LDI in a tasting. The Redemption BP is very good but would probably have taken you too far the other way.

[TunnelTiger]

Opened up my second bottle of 2 yr old Willet last night and I do believe it tasted better than the first one. Now saying that it can't compare to RITTBIB in taste or price.

[LCWoody]

Had some SAOS 8y rye to start the night. This is a very easy drinking rye and very good.

[bearmark]

Tonight I had a pour of High West's A Midwinter Nights Dram. Lots of flavor added by the finishing, yet the characteristic flavor of the Rendezvous was still evident. Definitely the best finished rye whiskey that I've tasted.

[BFerguson]

Emptied a baby Saz and moved to HWMND.

Eyeing a replacement now

B

[GaryT]

Nice pour of Jeff 10. Even the latter chill filtered batches are super tasty :yum:

[ramblinman]

Picked up a JEP and a SAOS 8 yr (Sherlocks selection mentioned earlier in thread) and enjoyed both over the weekend. I've had a little bit of a headcold so not completely trusting my taste, but both the bottles struck me as being amazingly earthy for an Indiana rye. Much stronger on the anise/liquorice than the mint side. Curious to how my perception of them changes as the bottles open up a bit and I get my full since of taste back.

[LCWoody]

Having some JPS 25y rye before dinner. Very good.

[KyleCBreese]

Ritt354 and Willett 2-year. The Ritt354 is the winner by a mile.

[Paddy]

Decided I need to move back to rye for a bit, and started it off with three fingers of DSP 1 Ritt.

[petrel800]

Popped a Redemption Rye BP (I think it's batch 2) last night. Enjoyed it, nothing special in that its DNA was your standard MGP/LDI Rye, but I loved the nose and really enjoyed the peppery finish.

Thinking about opening up a SAOS BP rye this weekend and having a head to head with some Handy I have open.

[LCWoody]

Having some more JPS 25y tonight. Once I open a bottle it doesn't last long.

[GaryT]

Living right on this lovely Saturday with some Saz 18 (and already have the BMH 18 Rye queued up next).

[Paddy]

Three fingers of WP, while watching the SNL 40th anniversary show. Loving both...

[LCWoody]

Finished off a bottle of OS 7y.

[Paddy]

While the outside temp continues to crash, I'm in front of the fire working on a nice smooth pour of Ritt!

[numen]

A few inches of snow outside has led me to a pleasant pour of THH and an accompanying hot toddy (made with the same). :drinking:

[TunnelTiger]

On a real cold night down south a few generous pours of MWND is really appreciated.

[Paddy]

I've been working on mostly Ritt this week. With the temps dropping below zero tonight, I thought I'd go with some WP to help keep my plumbing from freezing up.

[BonVivant84]

Just finished up an Old Scout BP 8 year. Really enjoyed this bottle, had it neat, rocks, splash of water and a killer manhattan and sazerac. On the look out for another, hopefully next barrel will be just as good.

[heydobro]

Much like others have mentioned. MWND from a good SB friend helped warm the bones last night as temps dropped below zero. It was followed up by some 8yr SAOS to finish the night