Pikesville Straight Rye

Drinks cooler than proof would hint at. And has a delicious baking spice flavors.

I'm not a rye guy, but my brother is. So during Christmas we bought Old Forester 1920 and this to split. My main experiences with rye were: 1) superior ingredient to bourbon in cocktails, 2) sneaky good and cheap on the rocks options at bars like Jim Beam Rye, and 3) gross-tasting Bulleit Rye. Pikesville Rye has made me rethink the category. The nose is so similar to high rye bourbons such as Four Roses, with just a little more cherry and rye kick. Strong aroma of orange/citrus, grass/corn dust, burnt caramel, cherries, and oak. I don't detect any licorice or eucalyptus that I've gotten in 95% rye mashbills. I really hate licorice so this was a welcome reprieve. The high rye spice and oak continue on the palate, it definitely shows its age and proof after a few seconds. The cherry flavor really stands out on the tongue. I can see why people think cherry cola when tasting this, but honestly a sugary soda of any kind tastes nothing like whiskey. The spice really comes out in the finish, with strong peppery notes. It begins to have a cherry medicinal quality towards the end, and this is really the only thing that is holding me back from giving it a 4.5. I wish that flavored cough syrup note didn't appear. If you're a bourbon drinker and have been turned off by high rye whiskeys, definitely try this or start cheaper with Rittenhouse. I've had a few nice ryes since purchasing Pikesville, but none have been as good.