Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond

$25. Something like a rich, chocolate-covered peanut candy bar upfront, followed by a bit of varnish, and finishing with smooth floral and rye notes that round out the rich flavors. Nothing like MGP-style ryes.

VIEN 2360 170419: green, corn, waterly-peanut?

I'm giving this one 3 stars, which is actually high praise for a rye whisky, seeing I do not generally like them. That's not to say this thing is necessarily great, because it comes across as a tad under proofed (even at 50%) and with a finish that is short and flat. The rye note is however pleasant and meshes well with the notes of charred oak. There are also hints of dried fruit, particularly cherries, that complement this spirit well.

When someone says a whiskey will taste like peanut brittle, I'm skeptical. That's a flavor profile I really like. But this one comes through. Doesn't even seem like a rye, I think many would be sure this was a bourbon in a blind taste. Not as spicy or strong as I expected for a 100-proof rye, but I don't mean that in a bad way. In short, it's delicious. Coats your mouth, has a great aftertaste, and again, peanut brittle. Commence hoarding. 4/13/17 After the first tasting (with friends), about half the bottle was left, so I wanted to see if the air time affected the juice. Burnt sugar and wood on the nose. Some paper, brown rice, spice, and yes, buttery peanut brittle. Some additional nutty and fruity notes appear on the nose and on the tongue halfway through the dram. Overall, I'd say this showed more layers this time around. This is quite a bargain, a multiple-note whiskey that's great to drink neat but probably would hold up in a cocktail (not that I've tried). 5/9/17