Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 55% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is the six-year-old Kentucky version bottled at 110 proof, or 55%. Heaven Hill selects particularly well-aged barrels from favoured warehouse locations for this release; its greater maturity and robust bottling strength distinguish it from earlier, younger Pikesville bottlings. The name dates back to Maryland's rye tradition of the late 19th century, although the current version is produced in Kentucky.

Its character brings together cocoa and oak smoke with honeyed rye and spices. The sweetness contrasts with the dry, spicy flavour.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Dusty cocoa leads on the nose, with a smoky oak note underneath.
• Palate: The whiskey is dry and spicy on the palate, combining honeyed rye with cloves.
• Finish: The finish reveals soft vanilla notes and baking spices.

Distillery/Bottler:

Heaven Hill produces Pikesville in Kentucky and has owned the brand since acquiring it in 1982. The brand originated in Maryland in 1895. Production ceased during Prohibition; Pikesville subsequently returned and eventually remained as the last surviving brand of Maryland's once-important rye tradition. Until the relaunch in 2015, Heaven Hill sold a three-year-old version at 80 proof. Today's version combines six years of maturation with 110 proof, carrying the historic brand forward with a more robust Kentucky profile.

For its rye whiskeys, Heaven Hill uses a grain mixture of 51% rye, 35% corn and 14% malted barley. During processing, the ground rye is gradually added to the cooked corn mash. Stirring paddles help prevent lumps so that the starch can be made fully accessible. The order in which the grains are added and the cooking temperatures are carefully controlled, as rye can thicken considerably during processing.

Facts: