Pinhook Impresses With Latest Release in Series That Showcases Aging’s Effect on Rye Whiskey
(Photo: Pinhook Bourbon)
On Thursday, Pinhook announced the 2024 release of its Vertical Series rye whiskey, an annual release that examines the effects of age on whiskey by releasing the same distillate one year older each year.
Pinhook Vertical Series Rye 8 Year is the fifth release in the series and comes sporting newly designed packaging that Pinhook says “perfectly blends tradition and modernity.”
As for the whiskey inside the snazzy bottle, the rye is blended from 32 barrels and bottled at cask strength.
“The 8 Year truly exceed my expectations,” Pinhook Master Blender and founder Sean Josephs said in a news release. “Another year of age added a lot of richness and intensity, while maintaining a well balance finish. Following the Vertical Series Rye as it ages and experiencing the change in flavors from the 4 Year to the 8 Year has been both a surprise and delight.”
The rye whiskey is sourced from MGP Ingredients in Indiana and is made of the classic MGP rye mashbill: 95% rye and 5% malted barley. The rye entered the barrel at 125 proof — the highest legally allowed. After aging for about a year in Indiana, the barrels were moved to Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, where they spent their next seven or so years.
When Pinhook drew the whiskey from the cask and bottled it, its proof had fallen all the way down to 108.4.
“It’s going to be interested to see what happens,” Josephs said during a virtual tasting. “By the time we get to 12 [years], we might have a sub-100-proof cask-strength whiskey, which could be really interesting.”
Tasting Pinhook Vertical Series Rye 8 Year
I had the chance to taste this rye whiskey during a virtual tasting with Josephs. The whiskey was paired with an excellent selection of chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat, but even that array of tasty confections couldn’t distract from this magnificent rye.
On the nose, Pinhook Vertical Series Rye 8 Year is remarkably rich. Aromas of vanilla bean, frosting, anise and gingerbread are joined by rich milk chocolate, tapioca, nutmeg and a great mocha note.
The rye delivers a satisfying viscosity with notes of gingerbread, mocha and a big, bright orange note, as well as plenty of anise, pine, oak and tannins, and some faint peppermint tea and milk chocolate-covered caramels.
The finish is long and gratifying, kicking off with a soft, delicious marshmallow note that guides you into some spicier character, with ginger, clove and cinnamon. These notes are joined by a strong citrus character, with orange peel and lemon candies, and sweet oak.
Overall, this whiskey is an absolute delight. Sweet, spicy and oaky, this rye whiskey is exquisitely balanced and a steal at its $84.99 price point.
It’s impressive how the Vertical Series continues to improve each year, and this is the best yet. I can’t wait for next year’s!
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