Pikesville Rye is a brand that got its start in the 1890s in Maryland which was the epicenter of rye whiskey production until prohibition crashed the party and ended everyone’s fun. However this scrappy little brand did emerge after prohibition, but after a while it succumbed to the same death as many old brands. Though also like many old brands, it has recently been brought back to life under the auspices of the Heaven Hill distillery.
On a technical level Pikesville Rye just the bolder older brother of the Rittenhouse Rye. The regular Ritt is a 4 year Bottled In Bond (100 proof) rye whisky and has long been one of my favorite go-tos for sipping and cocktails, but the Pikesville rye is giving it some stiff competition. In fact the only area where the Pikesville rye looses to the Rittenhouse is in the price category where it comes in at about 1/2 the price which still makes it perfect for cocktail experimentation, but when you’re looking for perfect execution, or a robust sip, it pales in comparison to its burlier sibling.
Pikesville Rye Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
Mashbill: 51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12% Barley
Cask: New charred oak
Age: 6 years
ABV: 55%
Price: $50
Pikesville Rye Review
EYE
Crimson caramel
NOSE
A dollop of rye spice accompanied by notes of caramel, vanilla, citrus peel, brown sugar, red licorice, wood, fruit and a light herbal quality. This… is… fantastic.
PALATE
Velvety layer of rye spice followed by notes of caramel, marzipan, pepper, wood, red licorice, herbal notes and citrus frosting. Light bits of earth, leather and fruit add nice accents to an already multi-dimensional whiskey.
FINISH
Long, spicy and accented by notes of wood, toffee and citrus spiked chocolate.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Perfectly balanced, rich full body and a heavy oily texture.
OVERALL
Pikesville Rye is an absurdly delicious rye whiskey and is among my new favorite whiskeys. Both the aroma and flavor are bold and multifaceted carrying spicy, earthy, sweet and rustic tones with them. Everything works in harmony and the only thing I want more of is oak and spice. Yes the rye notes are heavy and straight forward, but it’s a one noted spice, not a complex spice like you can get in ryes with a higher rye quantity in the mash… but that’s really just being nit picky.
In addition to being an absurdly tasty sipper, Pikesville rye is an insanely good cocktail whiskey. The bold rye spice and high proof ensure it doesn’t get drowned out, which makes for a sensational Manhattan, and at about $50 a bottle I don’t feel bad about using it. Bold, complex and versatile, no wonder everyone is raving about the Pikesville Rye and now I can say, without hesitation, that it’s a well deserved reputation.
SCORE: 94/100
Pikesville Rye Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
Pikesville Rye is complex, it’s versatile and it won’t break the bank. Great in cocktails, amazing neat and something that brings a whole new level of awesome to the rapidly crowding rye whiskey category.
Overall
- Nose - 93
- Palate - 95
- Finish - 93
- Balance, Body & Feel - 96
Josh,
You turned me on to this Rye shortly after your initial review, and I was all in (ok, an enjoyable rut) for ~ two years drinking it neat. Then ECBP, Old Forester 1920, WT Rare Breed, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, Sagamore Double Oaked, etc. and I totally forgot about Pikesville Rye. I’ve been consumed with old fashioned cocktails for the last eighteen months so I picked up a bottle of this yesterday, and you are correct, this is an incredible mixer. Just wondering years later if you are still digging this, or possibly a different rye that has been released since then, has your attention.
Nothing wrong with that, I love a good Old Fashioned. I still enjoy the Pikesville, it’s on my “open” shelf right now. But there have been a couple of great releases that give it a run for its money. The first is the Smooth Ambler Founder’s Reserve Rye, it’s magnificent. The second are the latest batches of 10 yo Redemption rye. The third are the cask strength Frey Ranch rye releases. All of these ryes have been fantastic, but I don’t think Pikesville has lost a step! Cheers!
Finally pulled the bandaid off and bought this a few weeks ago. I tend to be tenuous about buying rye, but I did not regret the purchase. a brilliant Whiskey, and an easy top 5-10 shelfie in 2020.
Awesome, glad you’re digging it. Cheers Jonathon!
Josh,
Wow. Thanks for the recommendation Josh. I found it at Smart & Final of all places. I tried it neat expecting the high proof to be too hot. Was I wrong. It was sweet, spicy, sweet, and made my mouth tingle. Over ice was ok, but for me neat is where this shines. You nailed it. Have a Happy Halloween to boot!
I love that you picked it up and I’m glad you enjoyed it! Cheers Mark!
Pikesville is still killing it in the Rye world…so good…
Amen to that!
I’ve had a bottle of Pikesville Rye on my shelf for almost a year. Today I tried a side by side comparison with its younger counterpart Rittenhouse Rye. I love RR and it’s one of my go to Ryes with Knob Creek Rye being my favorite but Pikesville Rye blows them both out of the water! Pikesville nose 97, palate 95. The finish is long but could be longer. The nose is amazing. One of my most favorite aromas from a Rye. Pikesville is hands down my favorite Rye! On another note I have yet to try Old Overholt Rye, what’s your opinion?
Pikesville is definitely one my favorites too Joeseph! Old Overholt is good, but I like RR better. Though I hear good things about the new Overholt Bonded. We’ll see how it is.
As a Maryland native I’ve enjoyed Pikesville for over 50 years, a great working man’s drink. Sorry to see it become yuppiefied and the price quadrupled. I will not buy this new product.
Sorry! WT RB. I’ve had too much Pikesville for Thanksgiving.
No worries and thanks for sharing. Cheers Robert!
On my third bottle of this. I really like the smoky wood in the nose and the spicy bite it has. Great buy at $36 + tax. It has joined my rotation of EW BIB ($11), WT 101 ($20), WR RB ($36), ECBP ($46), and Booker’s ($65). All great value whiskies. Never really liked other eyes, except for Sazarec ($27) and the old bottles of HW Rendezvous ($70), but this beats those as well.
Me too JB, I plan on doing it someday soon. Cheers!
I’m on my third bottle or maybe fourth of Pikesville Rye. An amazing pour none the less that delivers great on the palate and finish! I really enjoy the oily, syrupy mouth coating you get when you work the first swallow through! Rich flavor for a 6 year old Rye! It’s right up there and even surpasses some of the more expensive Ryes! Definitely still a sleeper at the $40-$50 range. Thanks for the great review Josh!
Still one of my top ryes. Cheers Ed!
“Better than it should be,” one of my friends said, and he was right. In fact, I moved my bottle of Few rye over to my GF’s place and I’m concentrating on the Pikesville at home. Thumbs up!
Not a bad setup. Cheers Evan!
I bought a bottle a year ago at the Heaven Hill Heritage Center. Truly terrific stuff! Very bold and spicy! I love the Rittenhouse, but this offers just a bit more.
Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
So….just tried this….wow…you are right…this is absurdly delicious. I think it’s miles above Russel’s rye, which I give an 87/100…this pikesville gets a 96/100 for me…for only 5 dollars more. I’m gonna go get another bottle tomorrow to stash before the whisky craze ruins another brand I like and it’s sticks are depleted. Killer….just killer rye!
Couldn’t agree more. I picked up a second and will probably pick up another soon. Ridiculously good.
This is gonna be my new go to pour!
I picked up a bottle today for $51 in a Mom & Pop store that is definitely not known for low prices ($600 for an 18 year old EB bourbon) but does price their alcohol out the door, which is less than $35 when you subtract the absurd “sin”, sales & liter taxes Washington state charges on alcohol sales, they had 3 other bottles which I’m going back tomorrow and buy if they are still there. Guess they got a deal on it and don’t yet realize what they have.
Wow that is amazing. Also, I had no idea Washington was that bad for sales and “sin” taxes. That’s crazy. I always thought they were more like California.
I have bottle of Russell’s Reserve Rye that I love. It is big, bold and spicy. Sounds like Pikesville would be a great compliment to it. And being from Baltimore I feel it is my duty . LOL.
Ha definitely your duty! And yes, the Pikesville is a great compliment to the RRR. Which I also love. It’s one of my favorite go-to ryes.
After reading your review of Pikesville, I put in a request at my favorite shop. The owner always tries and tries to fulfill requests. Finally, my bottle came in!
What hits me first off is a spicy citrus and sweet nose. And the taste matches that. Plus a buttery, nutty, spicy heat that I always enjoy. But my favorite part of this whiskey is the long finish. It’s pepper and sweet citrus finish is so nice. Mmm.
I love this whiskey, it’s spicy, sweet heat lingers nicely long after my glass is empty.
I love trying new whiskey. Thanks for the review, Josh!
Thanks for sharing your own experience, glad you’re liking it. Cheers Amy!
Again, I wouldn’t have tried this if I hadn’t read your review. Snagged two bottles at a store that changing hands, and after one pour, I agree with your assessment entirely. This is big, bold Rye. Best in class. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.
Always happy to do so. Cheers Slater!
Would you pick Pikesville over Lot 40? I’m trying to decide on a nice bottle of rye. Thanks Josh.
They’re quite different. Pikesville is a spicier in-your-face kind of rye where as the Lot 40 is softer in comparison. I realize this isn’t a terribly helpful answer but I would take the Pikesville over Lot40 probably 60%-70% of the time, but it would really depend on my mood.
Thanks for the review Josh, which as always is great- I can’t wait to try this rye. If you had to pick a favorite between this & Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye, which would you pick?
Oh man you’ve given me a really tough choice. I tell you what. We’re doing a blind rye tasting to figure out exactly that in the near future so let me get back to you after the event!
That would be greatly appreciated! I’m definitely going to have to pick up a bottle if it’s even in the same conversation as the RR Single Barrel, which is currently my favorite rye I’ve tried.
Oh it definitely is. We’re still trying to organize due to everyone’s crazy schedules but yeah man RR & Pikesville very well might be my favorite “easy to find” ryes on the market now.
You nailed it, Josh! This is a great bottle. This keeps getting better after it is open, as well.
Agreed. This one keeps opening up nicely week over week.
I did like it but found it a bit boozy. Even though I paid under $40, I’d still prefer a liter of Turkey 101 Rye for $30. Have you had the reissued stuff yet? Oh, the cinnamon candy!!
Holy cow, for under $40 I’d buy 2!
I have had the reissue of the WT101 rye. It’s great, I like it almost as much as the original batches of it. We did a SBS with an old bottle and the new one and they’re very similar, but older one was just a bit richer and sweeter and like you said the newer one was a bit spicier.
Cheers!
Sorry to see Pikesville become yuppiefied and the price quadrupled.
I love Rittenhouse 100 and I hope I will get a chance at some point to try Pikesville. By the way, have you ever seen the 80 proof version of Rittenhouse? I see it listed for sale on UK websites along with the 100 proofer, but Americans never mention it on-line. It makes me wonder if the 80 proof whiskey is just an “export only” thing.
Also, where’s that Knob Creek Rye review you promised me?:)
I haven’t tried it, nor have I tried the Pikesvile Supreme Rye (lower proofed as well), but I really want to just to see. The Knob Creek rye is indeed coming. It’s part of a rye blind tasting I’m putting together with some friends and will be part of a “week of rye” on the site. Just waiting for the Holidays to get over so everyone’s schedules return to normal and we can sit down. I promise it’s on its way!