Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

It is exciting to see more and more rye whiskies becoming available in South Africa. It adds a rich dimension to the whiskey tasting options available. Rye whiskey in South Africa is still relatively unknown, but slowly I am getting the opportunity to taste more and more of these spicier drams.

Today I am looking at a comparison between Sazerac rye vs Rittenhouse rye whiskey. From one of the first rye whiskies that I tried, the Rittenhouse rye to the latest rye whiskey I have tried, the Sazerac rye whiskey

Before Prohibition in the USA, rye whiskey distilleries dotted the Pennsylvania landscape. Rye was a popular grain in America. Rye grain is easy to grow and durable. Surplus rye was fermented and distilled, which was a cheaper option than transporting it to other areas. Rye has a more spicy palate compared to bourbons.

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

Sazerac rye whiskey is produced at the Buffalo Trace distillery. Other brands in the Buffalo Trace portfolio include WL Weller bourbon, Eagle Rare bourbon, Blanton’s bourbon and Fireball Cinnamon.

Sazerac Straight rye whiskey is aged for around 6 years and the mash bill is not disclosed. It is suggested that the mash bill is the minimum required, around 51%. I love the old school bottle shape that stands out compared to the other standard bottles on my whisky shelf.

Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or “Monongahela” rye whiskies, Rittenhouse Straight rye whiskey is an acclaimed rye enjoying a comeback throughout the USA.

Heaven Hill Distilleries produce Rittenhouse rye. It is aged for 4 years. The mash bill is not disclosed.

Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

	Rittenhous Rye Whiskey	Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Type	Rye whiskey	Rye whiskey
ABV	40%	45%
Colour	Dark Gold	Dark gold with hints of red.
Nose	Spicy and rich. Notes of nutmeg, eucalyptus and vanilla. Faint hints of fresh cut grass, lemon blossom and liquorice.	Sweetness blended with a variety of spices. Bits of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. Woody notes with red berries, vanilla and caramel.
Palate	Freshly baked lemon and sugar biscuits and spices. Adding water releases more vanilla notes. Rich spices including warming pepper with a hint of dry oak. Medium Body.	Toasted oak notes with spices mixed with red berry and orange flavours, bits of toffee. Cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper heat with a vanilla and caramel creaminess. Medium body. Water tones down the spicy heat and makes it very drinkable.
Finish	Medium length that end in spicy lemon pepper notes .	Medium length ending in pepper spice and orange sweetness.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Delicious and different.	Smooth and easy drinking.
Price	$30	$35
Pairs well with	Milk chocolate, ribs and savory cornbread	Aged cheddar, jambalaya

If I had to do a blind taste test between these two rye whiskies, I don’t know if I will be able to tell them apart. They are so incredibly similar. From the colour to the spicy notes, these two rye whiskies are very much alike.

What the side by side tasting has shown, is the subtle differences between them, which was interesting.

The Rittenhouse rye whiskey has a more lemony profile. Hints of nutmeg, eucalyptus and rye spices mingle with fresh cut grass and vanilla.

The Sazerac rye whisky has a more orangey profile. Caramel, cinnamon and oak mixed with red berries and black pepper.

Looking at only the oak notes, these also differ slightly from dryer oak notes in the Rittenhouse Rye to more toasty oak notes in the Sazerac.

I prefer the Sazerac Rye when I have these two side by side. The Sazerac Rye is somewhat smoother and more drinkable, but only marginally.

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