by Mike » Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:06 pm
Rye whiskey must contain at least 51% rye grain. It is usually (in my experience) not appreciated by drinkers new to American whiskey. It has some strong flavors that drinkers of softer and more widely sold bourbons are not prepared to appreciate. I say this knowing there are those exceptions, people who like more intense flavors.
As it happens, I like rye whiskies and keep a number on hand. I have ryes from craft distillers (very grainy taste, but excellent), and from Canadian distillers (extraordinarily subtle and refined), and from several American distillers (Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill, and Jim Beam), as well as several ryes of significant age (Van Winkle, High West, and Heaven Hill - Rittenhouse 21 YO).
Recently mention has been made, both favorably and unfavorably, of Old Overholt Rye. This is an 80 proof rye from Beam, which also produces Knob Creek Rye at 100 proof.
It made its way into my mind to throw Rittenhouse, Knob Creek, and Old Overholt into a face off. I can claim no merits for my palate beyond that of having tasted a large number of whiskies, so I am delivering to you nothing beyond a reasonably informed opinion whose formation is described. I try to never venture (as some others do) into opinion territory without supporting reasons for those opinions.
An 80 proofer against two 100 proofers? Well, yes!
Contrary to opinions I have myself held in the past, 80 proofers are not just 'watered down whiskey'. Their attraction is a satisfying softness and subtlety often overlooked by those whose palates are best suited by the appeal of higher proof 'shock'. I say with absolute confidence that those who exclude 80 proof whiskies from their shelves miss something in the way of the subtlety that whiskey can offer. It is, of course, their prerogative to do so.
I find Old Overholt holds its own against the two 100 proof whiskies noted above, primarily because the rye grain itself provides its own intense flavors. The barrel flavors of the Rittenhouse and the Knob Creek are accompanied by the distraction of the alcohol.
Still, of these three, I think the Knob Creek best achieves the balance I prefer between the barrel vanilla, oak, spice, and subtlety among the three.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas