A fantastic rye whiskey produced in Kentucky, the Pikesville brand dates back to 1895 in Maryland. This 6 year old 110 proof was released in 2015, receiving a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, an "Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation" from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and was named the World's Best Rye Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards 2016 - Heaven Hill also won Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky 2016!
Some dusty spice, a touch of Norwegian hand cream and cocoa at first with sweet liquorice, Curaçao, vanilla custard and crème caramel developing.
Fruity, then wonderfully spicy rye. Sweet liquorice again (specifically the coconutty/nougat-y pink Liquorice Allsorts that have a black bit in the middle), plenty of oak and then clove drops on the tail.
Vanilla with cinnamon and apricot Danish.
$6.00 - $47.63
Heaven Hill Distillery...in name and meaning. Without intending to be gushing, this mob are head and shoulders above their contemporaries in the Bourbon game. Here is another example of (in this category) Rye, better than the rest. Strong, flavorful and satisfying...what more do you want? "Good value"- There is that too.
This has been my first purchase of Pikesville rye whiskey, and will not be my last. I had been a Jack Daniels drinker since my 20's, then to Glenfiddich Scotch. This is comparable to either.
Excellent rye however I’m not a pompous idiotic prat who smells Norwegian hand cream so what do I know?
found it in maryland for $44. yup the 110. not overwhelmingly spicy from the nose you can tell it'll be smooth. Had been looking for it for a while, but it's been two months since I devoured a bottle of whiskey so I said what the hell. It's not lost on me. Much better than the routine wt101, in fact I was ready to walk out of the store but then spotted this on the shelf.
To understand this whiskey I had to make a simultaneous taste. Compared with 1776, Knob Creek, Rittenhouse and Rebel Yell. Rye whiskey is hard not to be good, but from the comparison Pikesville comes out clearly winner both on the scent and on the flavor. Add a teaspoon of water to enhance the scent, but also direct is phenomenal.
