Rittenhouse Straight Rye is one of the most respected ryes in America and, for a lot of bartenders, the default bottle behind the stick. It is named for Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square and honours the Pennsylvania rye tradition, the style that dominated American whiskey before Prohibition and nearly disappeared afterwards. Today it is produced by Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, a distillery family owned since 1935. The bottle carries the Bottled in Bond designation, which is not a marketing term but a federal standard dating to 1897: the whiskey must be the product of a single distillery and a single distilling season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. That extra strength is exactly why this bottle works so well in cocktails. Where a 40% rye gets lost under vermouth, bitters and ice, Rittenhouse holds its shape, which makes it the go to choice for a Manhattan, Sazerac, Vieux Carré or Old Fashioned. It pours a warm amber. The nose brings dry rye spice, black pepper and cinnamon over caramel and vanilla, with a hint of dried fruit and oak. The palate is bold and structured, with peppery rye leading into brown sugar, baking spice and toasted oak, balanced by a gentle sweetness that keeps it from turning harsh. The finish is long and warming, closing on spice and seasoned wood. It is more than capable neat or over a large cube for anyone who enjoys a drier, spicier pour. Given the quality and the proof, it remains one of the best value bottles in American whiskey and a genuinely essential part of a working home bar.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
50% |
| Proof |
100 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Straight Rye Whisky, Bottled in Bond |
| Distillery |
Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Heaven Hill Brands |
| Age |
Minimum 4 years (Bottled in Bond) |
| Maturation |
New charred oak, federally bonded warehouse |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm amber.
Nose: Dry rye spice, black pepper and cinnamon over caramel and vanilla, with dried fruit and oak.
Palate: Bold and structured, with peppery rye, brown sugar, baking spice and toasted oak.
Finish: Long and warming, with lingering spice and seasoned wood.
FAQ
What proof is Rittenhouse Rye?
It is bottled at 50% ABV, which is 100 proof, as required by Bottled in Bond standards.
What does Bottled in Bond mean?
The whiskey comes from one distillery and one distilling season, was aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and was bottled at exactly 100 proof.
Why is it spelled whisky without the e?
Rittenhouse uses the whisky spelling on its label, a convention associated with the Pennsylvania rye tradition the brand honours.
What cocktails is it best in?
It is a bartender favourite for a Manhattan, Sazerac, Vieux Carré or Old Fashioned, where the 100 proof keeps the rye from getting lost.
Where is Rittenhouse made?
It is produced by Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, despite the Pennsylvania name and heritage.
Where can I buy Rittenhouse Rye online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
