Pikesville Straight Rye

The aroma begins with sweet buttercream, apricot preserves, and subtle black tea, followed by honeysuckle and toasted pumpernickel. Then come sour apple candy, maraschino cherries, and orange zest, transitioning into light baking spices and faint leather with a moderate alcohol presence. The palate has a thin to medium body, starting with sweet black tea, apricot jam, and lemon zest. A moderate spice emerges and gradually fades into honeysuckle and toasted pumpernickel, followed by sour apple candy, stewed cherries, and orange zest. This then shifts to light baking spices and leather, with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, featuring sweet black tea, charred caraway seeds, mandarin orange, toasted marshmallow, mild black pepper spice, and leather. This is a truly enjoyable rye. The nose is rich with creamy sweet and sour fruits, mild tea, light floral notes, and a delicate rye spice that carries to the palate. However, the flavors on the palate are less intense than anticipated, with a moderate spice leading to a finish of sweet tea, burnt rye, light citrus, and mild spice. Considering its $50 price point, this is an exceptional value. It can be difficult to find, but it's a must-have if you happen to see it.

Color: Medium amber Nose: Rye spice, menthol Palate: (Sampled with a small ice cube) Remarkable! Received a lot from the initial sip, yet I struggle to discern each individual component. A slight sweetness; more rye spice is certainly present – that's most likely my primary impression. After a few more sips, I'm detecting some "citrus" notes. "Mint," as well – yes, definitely mint. Finish: Long, with a persistent cooling sensation of mint and menthol. Astonishing! This is truly excellent! It's interesting that for a long time, I didn't think I appreciated Rye. However, I've had several recently and enjoyed them all. I'm uncertain – I would need to compare it directly with all the other ryes I've sampled (WR, WT Rare Breed, Rabbit Hole, Ezra Brooks, Sazerac...) – but I believe this might be the best rye I've encountered. I've intended to try Pikesville for some time, but you know how it is... You get sidetracked by a new release, or you make an impulsive purchase instead of opting for something you've been meaning to try, and so on. I'm pleased I finally followed through.

I first tried Pikeville during my visit to Heaven's Hill. It stood out as the finest Rye I sampled after visiting five distilleries. It was difficult to find locally, so I bought it immediately upon seeing it. On the nose: Mint, wax, and pepper with underlying brown sugar. On the palate: The characteristic Kentucky hug accompanied by a campfire sensation in a Pinetree wood. I really appreciate the wet pinewood flavors. I'm looking forward to trying this again in the fall. It might reveal more sweetness then.

This is an instant favorite. It's not just another rye; it possesses greater complexity, character, and intensity. I exclusively drink it neat, and my perception may have shifted slightly after the first few sips. I also found the ideal way to enjoy it: adding a drop of water. It's quite high in proof to drink entirely straight, though manageable with small sips. It's not inexpensive at approximately $57, but it feels worth the price.

In a blind comparison against Willett 4 yr Small Batch Rye and Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, which also included Russell's Reserve SiB Rye, this expression came in third. Those ryes represent my favorites to date. It was an incredibly tasty pour, and I would happily keep a bottle on hand. I'm eager to compare it against Rittenhouse in a future blind tasting.

The aroma has notes of leather and tobacco with brown sugar. Corn and oak sweetness, along with a faint hint of mint, are also present in the scent. The initial palate features a pleasant kick of oak and rye spice, complemented by a wonderfully velvety texture. Brown sugar and a touch of maple syrup are also detected on the palate. This is certainly one of my preferred Heaven Hill products.