Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Straight Rye Bottled in Bond

From 2019, aged five years. A clear, golden-orange pour. The aroma offers notes of rye bread, some floral hints, herbal mint, peppery spice, a bit of oak and vanilla. It's much more intricate and full than the regular version. As I continue to smell it, the oak aromas become more prominent, which I really enjoy. The taste emphasizes those spicy rye qualities strongly, with less of the floral or herbal elements, though they are present. The oak also adds some caramel and vanilla flavor. It has a medium body, a spicy kick, and with 100 proof, a noticeable alcohol presence. Given my palate is more accustomed to beer, it's a little warm, but not overwhelming like some barrel-proof selections. In conclusion, this is significantly better than the standard six-month expression. Considering the scarcity of aged rye on the market, I believe this is among the best options currently available. It might be a bit expensive, but I still think it's a worthwhile purchase. It's quite unique, clearly a pure rye, and I'm eager to see older versions released in the future. I'm actually preferring this over the "barely legal" ryes (like Rittenhouse or Sazerac). Reflections from a Beer Enthusiast: Since this distillery is local, several nearby breweries have experimented with their used barrels. A notable example for me is a brewery that used old barrels from this brand for some of their beers. However, those used the standard six-month product, and while both beverages were excellent, I'm uncertain how much the barrels influenced the final taste. I preferred the regular version of a specific beer over its rye barrel counterpart. On the other hand, I enjoyed one beer more than another, although other elements might have been involved. I'd be very interested to see someone use these five-year bottled-in-bond barrels in a future project...

Don't overlook the Dad's Hat Bottled-in-Bond. They are a local (to me) Pennsylvania rye whiskey, and they've elevated their game. The BiB is now a 5-year product and it's delicious. The last time I sampled this, it was only 4 years old. The additional year has brought balance, smoothness, and a better mouthfeel while still preserving the distinct Pennsylvania (Monongahela) Rye character they're known for. The slight dilution softens some of the (nearly) overwhelming grass, pepper, and spice notes found in some of the full-proof single barrel releases, creating a syrupy mouthful on a smooth brown-sugar syrup flavor base (if you've ever made simple syrup with light brown sugar, you'll understand) with a kick of grass, pepper, and allspice. There's a subtle earthiness. It reminds me EVER SO SLIGHTLY of high-quality rum with hints of almond, caramel, and dried apple. The only thing I'd wish for is a bit more fruit or floral character to round it out, but it's hard to find fault. There is absolutely NO BURN. I admit it's a bit expensive for the quality at $56 compared to products from larger distilleries, but perhaps only by about $10-$15, which isn't a major issue in the long run for supporting a craft distillery. I considered adding a Luxardo cherry to my glass to see how it would improve the overall profile... But by the time I finished this review, my glass (with a top-up) was long gone. Such is life. Next time, I will try it with orgeat syrup. I'll let you know how that goes.

Smells like eucalyptus with a touch of cocoa. The taste is of allspice and cinnamon, yet it is quite smooth and harmonious. The ending lasts a moderate duration, featuring sweet wood tannins alongside cinnamon.

Received this for placing second in a 2020 fantasy football league. It hits the palate with intensity, but that's a positive. Minimal warmth or aftertaste.

Curious whiskey, it had a dry, papery aroma that's uncommon for this type. It wasn't as peppery as I'd like, which was a bummer. I'm happy to have tasted it, but I won't be buying one.

Bready, dry, spicy, almost like a briny pickle.