Hochstadter's Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey

Despite being 100 proof, this spirit feels more like 80 or 90 proof. It's light and invigorating, with barely any heat and a delicate body that isn't unpleasant. The aroma presents notes of caramel, freshly mown grass, and green tea sweetened with brown sugar. It evokes a synthetic nature scent, similar to an air freshener, but it's not bothersome. Taste-wise, it offers less rye spice than some but more than a spirit like Old Overholt. It has grassy, slightly peppery, green, and leafy qualities. Tobacco and a hint of leather complete the medium finish. In summary, it's an agreeable drink for casual sipping but lacks complexity, texture, and distinctiveness. It would be suitable for conversations with companions or alongside a meal, but I'd prefer something more substantial for focused appreciation.

This is a really excellent rye for $35. I believe it surpasses HWRR because that brand's composition has changed significantly as they deplete their 16-year Barton stock. It presents a more conventional rye character than Pikesville—which I find excellent—but this costs ~$15 less. It can compete with any of the overpriced Whistlepigs, including the ridiculous Black Prince; similarly, it holds its own against Michter's. It is vastly superior to Sazerac, which is priced similarly but has experienced a steep decline in quality. In this unusual market, spirits like this demonstrate that you can still discover great rye & bourbon at sensible prices—which was initially a major appeal of these beverages.

I'm trying this again next to Old Overholt BiB; it's another 100 proof rye that costs about the same. Compared to the other bottle, the Hochstadter's is much more pungent. It presents a stronger spicy Pennsylvania rye profile than the Old Overholt, though the Overholt is easier to drink. The Old Overholt is smoother and more reminiscent of bourbon (which makes sense given its mash bill of 51% rye and high corn content, made by Jim Beam as a stepping-stone rye). Just to be clear, the Hochstadter's isn't as spicy as Dad's Hat. It has a subtle sweet creaminess, but not much else. I enjoy it well enough, but it needs more depth and personality beyond just a grassy note. I'm looking for something more from this.

My reaction upon tasting this was, “not bad.” The nose has notes of warm golden raisin, salinity, and a hint of citrus. The mouthfeel is silky, with flavors of graham cracker, dried fruit, and honey. The finish is drying, with baking spices. I anticipated greater complexity. Perhaps my experiences with the Barrell vatted releases have set my expectations too high, but it's noteworthy that early reviews compared this to Old Overholt. It's a good value at $30 but definitely not at $60. The expert review seems a bit excessive.

Opaque spice kick from the beginning, however, smooth and warm throughout. This vatted rye maintains a flavor full of unique percussions to the palate that is very pleasant, infused with an Old Fashion. Give it to a friend and watch them tip their hat for this gentleman’s selection.

Smells very sweet with apples and pears, finishing with a hint of spice. The flavor is sweet, featuring fruit and caramel, and a gentle spice at the end. Despite being 100 proof, it's not harsh and is quite smooth, making it pleasant even when consumed straight. This is a fine rye for sipping neat.