Pikesville Straight Rye

Long time listener, first time caller. Actually like 6th time caller but first time taking notes. This is chasing Redemption 10 year barrel proof rye (95/5 MGP). Color is maybe a touch darker than Redemption 10 barrel proof - a nice deep amber. The nose still says "rye" with lots of herbs and pumpernickel bread. Immediately the corn-sweetness is present with notes of light caramel, cherry juice and oak predominating and eucalyptus, mint and pine following. Oddly, there is something I would liken to strawberry preserves in there as all. Mouthfeel is a touch thinner but dang this is good. Still has loads of brown sugar and vanilla bean on the front end with caraway, rye, Lipton tea, a touch of fennel and slightly astringent oak. It lacks the crunchy mineralogy of Redemption 10y barrel proof and is lower on the backed good scale. This also has more astringency on the finish. It seems to be a bit brighter and kept in balance with tannic oak. Might be a case of "to each their own" and if I had to pick it would be difficult. Can I explain the differences between 10 year 95R/5B and 6 year 51R/39C/10B... this does seem to show some lighter caramelized notes and has the odd strawberry preserve element to it. Would I guess that the age is that different? No. I think the corn behind this mash bill brightens things up but hard to say if it unmasks some barrel astringency (or of MGP and Heaven Hill barrels and rick house conditions are more to blame). At double the price the Redemption/MGP is hard to justify as good as this is but man do I love the MGP herb/spice profile. Let's just call it a draw - it's not but I'm going to say that it is. I love rye, and I love both of these. Together with Russel's Reserve single barrel rye and Willett 4 year rye I can't imagine needing much more of a top-shelf American rye selection. Sorry Canada, you do you and some day I'll make it up your way.

Caveat: noob here. Nose is sweet and simple… maybe cherry and vanilla? Palette is lots of rye spice, but not overpowering despite being 110 proof. The warmth is really nice on the slow mid mouth finish (cheeks feel warm and slightly numb). On a big rock, it almost gets spicier, but the nose and ethanol are toned down. Weirdly I think the rye flavor punches higher on a rock.

meh; not sure what the hype is about

Nose: The nose seems light. I don’t get a lot but it pretty much smells like rye bread Palate: Caramel-forward. There’s a floral quality. Then, the rye flavor turns on a builds into a strong finish Finish: It’s a bold rye spice that lingers. For me, this hits stronger than a 110 proof. It’s a quality rye but not my absolute favorite.

Spicy notes and charred wood, tobacco flavors. Very good!

A lovely rye.

Spicy, with a kick going down and a prominent lingering cherry flavor.

Candied cherries, spicy