Rittenhouse Rye, 25 year old, (Barrel #1)

Surprisingly lively. Very much like the 21 year old release in this regard but not as spicy on the nose or palate. Instead the spice is replaced by a layered satisfying sweetness -- not by wood like the somewhat lethargic oak-dominated 23 year old release. Older doesn’t mean that it tastes older. Deep nutty toffee foundation with nougat candied tropical fruit and shoo-fly pie. The spices (cinnamon spearmint vanilla cocoa powder) emerge mid-palate and linger warming the finish. Not as vibrant as the 21 year old expression but more sophisticated. I can’t speak for the other barrels in this lot but I think this one is a great example of what a 20-plus year old rye whiskey should taste like.